The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor

All content by Matthew Scabilloni
First-year middle blocker Ryla Jones (9) smiles during Pitt volleyball’s game against Buffalo on Tuesday at Fitzgerald Field House.

Feature | Ryla Jones: ‘She doesn’t quit’

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
September 5, 2024
Pitt volleyball in the Fitzgerald Field House during its game against Louisville on Saturday, Dec. 7th.

Pitt volleyball starts the year in dominant fashion

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
September 3, 2024
Head coach Dan Fisher speaks to the Pitt volleyball team after their match Fitzgerald Field House.

Feature | Pitt volleyball still has two more steps to climb

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
August 29, 2024
Second year outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) bumps the ball during the game against Clemson at the Fitzgerald Field House on October 8th, 2023.

Pitt athlete’s gameday diets, from intramural to varsity athlete

By Aidan Kasner and Matthew Scabilloni
August 28, 2024
(from left to right) Sports Editors Aidan Kasner and Matthew Scabilloni

Meet the editors: Sports

By Aidan Kasner and Matthew Scabilloni
August 25, 2024
Opposite Hitter Rachel Fairbanks (10) celebrates at a match against Clemson.

Pitt volleyball served and set with must-see matchups in 2024

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
August 22, 2024
Sophomore Opposite Hitter Olivia Babcock is projected to play a successful 2024 season.

Pitt volleyball’s 2024 positional watchlist

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
August 21, 2024
The Oakland Zoo is a spirited student section at Pitt sporting events such as Men’s Basketball game.

Get to know Pitt sports, traditions, rivals and teams with the most recent successes.

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
August 8, 2024
Pitt players chase a Canisius player during Pitt men's basketball's game against Cansius Saturday night.

Column | Pitt men’s basketball is starting to make a name for itself in the NBA

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
July 17, 2024
A referee holds a basketball in the Petersen Events Center.

Column | Changes needed to field the best 68 in March Madness

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
June 6, 2024
Column | Red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers will bring “Buctober” back to the Steel City

Column | Red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers will bring “Buctober” back to the Steel City

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
May 28, 2024
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Phil Fox (28) pitches during a game against UVA at Cost Field on March 25.

Pitt baseball’s midseason misfortunes ruin promising season

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor
May 28, 2024
Sixth-year running back Daniel Carter (4) runs into the endzone during Pitt football’s Blue-Gold Game on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

‘Breath of fresh air’: Pitt football sees new faces shine

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
April 19, 2024
Kamalani Akeo talks with members of the women's volleyball coaching staff in 2021.

Kamalani Akeo: An unsung hero contributing to the success of Pitt volleyball

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
April 18, 2024
Head coach Dan Fisher speaks to the team after the women’s volleyball game against Penn State on Sunday afternoon in the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt volleyball takes care of Penn State in front of a packed crowd

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
April 16, 2024
Junior Emmy Klika (12) screams in celebration after winning a point during a match against Georgia Tech at the Fitzgerald Field House on Oct. 7, 2023.

Emmy Klika: ‘You have to embrace the pressure’

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
April 12, 2024

The Pitt News Sports Podcast | Torrey Stafford is a ‘student of the game’

By Jermaine Sykes and Matthew Scabilloni
April 4, 2024
Senior opposite hitter Rachel Fairbanks (10) spikes the ball during Saturday night’s game against Ohio State in the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt volleyball showcases future in spring game

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 25, 2024
First-year guard Carlton Carrington (7) drives past a Florida State defender in the Petersen Events Center on Mar. 5.

Pitt men’s basketball reflects on past and future

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 19, 2024
Pitt men’s basketball falls to North Carolina in ACC semi-final

Pitt men’s basketball falls to North Carolina in ACC semi-final

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 15, 2024
Pitt men’s basketball looks to punch ticket to NCAA Tournament against UNC

Pitt men’s basketball looks to punch ticket to NCAA Tournament against UNC

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 15, 2024
Junior guard Ishmael Leggett (5) shoots during a game against Notre Dame at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday.

Pitt men’s basketball advances to ACC semifinals with win over Wake Forest

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 15, 2024
Pitt men’s basketball gears up for ACC Tournament matchup

Pitt men’s basketball gears up for ACC Tournament matchup

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 13, 2024
A Pitt wrestler fights for hand control during the meet against Virginia in the Fitzgerald Field House on Feb. 23.

Pitt Athletics heads into spring break with a busy weekend

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 8, 2024

The Pitt News Sports Podcast | Pitt Women’s Club Rugby and March Madness

By Jermaine Sykes and Matthew Scabilloni
March 8, 2024
Senior forward Blake Hinson (2) drives past a defender during Tuesday night’s game against Florida State in the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt men’s basketball beats FSU, Hinson makes history

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
March 6, 2024

The Pitt News Sports Podcast | Inside the NCAA and college basketball

By Jermaine Sykes and Matthew Scabilloni
March 1, 2024
Sophomore forward Guillermo Diaz Graham (25) shoots a layup during Saturday evening’s game against Virginia Tech in the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt men’s basketball falls to Clemson in crucial game

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
February 28, 2024
First-year guard Jaland Lowe (15) motions to fans during Saturday evening’s game against Virginia Tech in the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt men’s basketball showcases versatility against Virginia Tech

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
February 26, 2024
Senior forward Blake Hinson (2) dribbles towards the basket during Saturday night's game against Louisville in the Petersen Events Center.

Hinson scores 41 points, leads Pitt men’s basketball over Louisville

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
February 20, 2024
Pitt players converge to defend the basket as a Clemson player attempts a layup during a game at the Petersen Events Center on Dec. 3, 2023.

How Pitt men’s basketball can beat Wake Forest

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
February 19, 2024

The Pitt News Sports Podcast | The future of Pitt basketball and Super Bowl predictions

By Jermaine Sykes and Matthew Scabilloni
February 14, 2024
Senior forward Blake Hinson (2) shoots during a game against Notre Dame at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday.

Pitt men’s basketball wins game No. 300 at the Petersen Events Center

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
February 3, 2024
First-year guard Carlton "Bub" Carrington (7) looks for a play during Wednesday night's game against Wake Forest in the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt men’s basketball defeats Wake Forest despite slow first half

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
January 31, 2024
Senior forward Liatu King (2) goes up for a layup during Sunday afternoon’s game against the Syracuse Orange at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt women’s basketball beat Virginia, wins first ACC contest under Tory Verdi

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
January 26, 2024
Junior center Federiko Federiko (33) dunks during Tuesday night’s game against Syracuse at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt men’s basketball handles the pressure, defeats Duke 80-76

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
January 21, 2024
First-year forward Benjamin Mayhew (13) goes for a layup during Tuesday night’s game against Syracuse at the Petersen Events Center.

Takeaways | Jaland Lowe has arrived, Panthers show a lack of toughness

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
January 19, 2024
Senior forward Blake Hinson (2) drives to the basket during Pitt men’s basketball’s game against Duke on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Takeaways | Adjustments in rotation, defensive strategy can turn Pitt men’s basketball season around

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
January 12, 2024
Nebraska's Merritt Beason (13) scores past Pittsburgh's Torrey Stafford (4) and Emma Monks (9) during a semifinal match in the NCAA Division I women's college volleyball tournament Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Tampa, Fl.

Pitt volleyball falls to Nebraska in Final Four

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 14, 2023
Pitt volleyball cheers following a point in the Fitzgerald Field House during their game against Louisville on Saturday.

Feature | Pitt volleyball finds ways to improve in 2023

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 14, 2023
Pitt volleyball in the Fitzgerald Field House during their game against Louisville on Saturday.

Preview | Pitt volleyball looks to qualify for its first-ever National Title game by taking down Nebraska on Thursday

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 13, 2023
Pitt volleyball in the Fitzgerald Field House during their game against Louisville on Saturday.

Pitt volleyball completes the reverse sweep, advances to Final Four

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 9, 2023
The Pitt Panthers celebrate their win against Washington State in the Fitzgerald Field House on Thursday.

Pitt volleyball sweeps Washington State, advances to Elite Eight

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 7, 2023
First-year outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) and graduate student middle blocker Chiamaka Nwokolo (20) jump to block a ball during Friday night’s volleyball match against Coppin State in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at the Petersen Events Center.

Preview | Pitt volleyball prepares for Sweet Sixteen

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 7, 2023
Redshirt junior forward William Jeffress (24) celebrates after Pitt scores against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl in Morgantown, WV Wednesday night.

Pitt basketball, led by Blake Hinson and the Oakland Zoo, defeat West Virginia 80-63 in the 2023 Backyard Brawl

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 7, 2023
Junior setter Rachel Fairbanks (10) celebrates after a point during Saturday night’s match against USC in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt volleyball defeats USC, advances to Sweet Sixteen

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 3, 2023
Graduate student setter Lexis Akeo (1) celebrates a point during Friday night’s volleyball match against Coppin State in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at the Petersen Events Center.

Pitt volleyball sweeps Coppin State in NCAA first-round

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 2, 2023
Pitt volleyball coach Dan Fisher yells during Pitt's game against BYU in the second round of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament in the Petersen Events Center on Dec. 3, 2022.

Preview | Pitt women’s volleyball hosts first round of NCAA tournament

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
December 1, 2023
First-year opposite hitter Olivia Babcock (5) serves the ball in front of a record-setting crowd during Saturday afternoon's match against Louisville at the Petersen Events Center.

Takeaways | Pitt volleyball displayed selflessness, courage in their dominant regular season

By Matthew Scabilloni, Senior Staff Writer
November 29, 2023
Redshirt senior outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez (2) spikes the ball during Saturday afternoon's match against Louisville at the Petersen Events Center.

No. 7 Pitt volleyball reverse sweeps No. 4 Louisville in front of record setting crowd

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
November 18, 2023
First-year Olivia Babcock (5) serves during a match against Georgia Tech at the Fitzgerald Field House on Oct. 6.

Preview | Pitt volleyball looks to make history in pivotal matchup against No. 4 Louisville

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
November 17, 2023
Redshirt senior outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez (2) spikes the ball during the game against Wake Forest in the Fitzgerald Field House on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Column | Pitt volleyball starters as Panther football players

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
November 16, 2023
Redshirt senior outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez (2) sets the ball during their match against Virginia Tech in the Fitzgerald Field House on Friday, Oct. 27.

Takeaways | First-years stepped up, mistakes haunted Pitt volleyball over the weekend

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
November 7, 2023
Redshirt senior wide receiver Bub Means (0) catches a pass for a touchdown during Saturday evening's game against FSU at Acrisure Stadium.

Takeaways | Pitt football’s offensive struggles continue while defense shines against Florida State

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
November 6, 2023
Pitt’s volleyball team celebrates a point against Syracuse in the Fitzgerald Field House on Oct. 1.

Preview | Pitt volleyball heads south for two road ACC contests against FSU, Miami

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
November 3, 2023
Redshirt Senior outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez (2) blocks the ball during the game against Wake Forest in the Fitzgerald Field House on Sunday.

Pitt volleyball victorious on senior day, sweeps Wake Forest

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 30, 2023
A Pitt player blocks the ball during their match against Virginia Tech Friday night in the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt volleyball starts its Halloween weekend off with a bang, sweeps Virginia Tech 3-0

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 27, 2023
Third-year midfielder Guilherme Feitosa (10) defends the ball during the match against Duke at Ambrose Urbanic Field on Saturday.

Weekend sports recap | Volleyball dominates, swim and dive falls to Notre Dame in a busy weekend for Pitt athletics

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 23, 2023
Pitt’s volleyball team celebrates a score during the game against Virginia at the Fitzgerald Field House on Wednesday night.

No. 7 Pitt volleyball gets another ACC win, beats Virginia 3-0

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 18, 2023
Freshman Olivia Babcock (5) serves during a match against Georgia Tech at the Fitzgerald Field House on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Takeaways | Pitt volleyball faces up-and-down weekend

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 16, 2023
Pitt volleyball players celebrate after their win against Louisville on Oct. 22, 2022.

Feature | Pitt volleyball reflects on past, future ahead of matchup against No. 6 Louisville

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 12, 2023
Junior right side hitter Rachel Fairbanks (10) sets the ball during the game against Clemson at the Fitzgerald Field House on Sunday.

Pitt volleyball continues dominating, sweeps Clemson for win No. 15

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 8, 2023
Junior Emmy Klika (12) screams in celebration after winning a point during Friday's match against Georgia Tech at the Fitzgerald Field House.

No. 7 Pitt comes back, defeats No. 11 Georgia Tech

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 7, 2023
The Pittsburgh Pirates celebrate after getting the final out of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.

Column | Pirates fans have a lot to hope for in 2024

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 6, 2023
Head coach Pat Narduzzi yells at players during the Backyard Brawl in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Saturday.

Pitt football extends losing streak to four games, loses to Virginia Tech 38-21

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
October 1, 2023
Pitt graduate student middle blocker Emma Monks (9) bumps the ball during a game against Oregon on Sep. 24, 2023 in the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt volleyball sweeps Boston College, upping its winning streak to six

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
September 30, 2023
Freshman right side hitter Olivia Babcock (5) strikes the ball during the game against University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in Fitzgerald Field House last Wednesday.

Takeaways | Pitt volleyball off to a hot start to 2023 campaign

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
September 24, 2023
Pitt sophomore setter Rachel Fairbanks (10) sets the ball at a game against Bowling Green State University at the Fitzgerald Field House on September 9, 2022.

No. 8 Pitt volleyball takes down High Point

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
September 18, 2023
Redshirt junior outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez (2) celebrates after Pitt's win against BYU in the second round of the NCAA women's volleyball tournament in the Petersen Events Center on Dec. 3 2022.

Preview | Pitt volleyball looks ready to reach new heights in 2023

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
June 28, 2023
Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore.

Column | Predicting the Steelers’ 2023-2024 campaign

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
May 24, 2023
A pile of Pitt footballs.

Column | Where Pitt football’s NFL prospects should land

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
April 13, 2023
Pitt baseball players stand in the dugout during a game against Virginia Tech on Friday at the Petersen Sports Complex.

Pitt baseball take series against Virginia Tech, still have starting pitching issues

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
March 28, 2023
Acrisure Stadium in the North Shore.

Breaking down Omar Khan’s first free agency with Steelers, what the team still needs this offseason

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
March 22, 2023
Pitt band members celebrate during Pitt men’s basketball’s game against Boston College on Tuesday night.

Preview | Pitt looks to continue tournament run against Iowa State

By Matthew Scabilloni, Staff Writer
March 17, 2023
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