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
Sophomore middle blocker Bianca Garibaldi (20) celebrates a point during the women’s volleyball game against Penn State on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024 at the Fitzgerald Field House.

Pitt volleyball receives No. 1 ranking

By Matthew Scabilloni, Assistant Sports Editor • September 10, 2024

Pitt volleyball made history Monday afternoon as it was ranked No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches poll for the first time in program history. This is the first time a Pitt sports team was ranked No. 1 since the...

Pitt sophomore setter Rachel Fairbanks (10) sets the ball at a game against Bowling Green State University at the Fitzgerald Field House in September.

No. 7 Pitt volleyball sweeps weekend, extends winning streak to 17

By Richie Smiechowski, Assistant Sports Editor • November 7, 2022
No. 7 Pitt volleyball dominated on the road this weekend, comfortably beating Syracuse and Boston College. These wins extended the Panthers’ winning streak to 17 games, and head coach Dan Fisher recorded career win no. 250 in the process.
Heather Like, Athletic Director

Introducing Pitt athletics’ biggest faces

By Richie Smiechowski, For The Pitt News • August 24, 2021
For the first day of classes, what better way to acclimate new fans with their athletes than a quick introduction of Pitt Athletics’ biggest names and faces prior to the first day of classes?
Pitt volleyball’s historic NCAA tournament run came to an end on Monday afternoon, and it happened in possibly the most heartbreaking way imaginable.

Panthers’ historic NCAA tournament run ends in heartbreaking fashion, losing 3-2 to No. 6 Washington

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 19, 2021
Pitt’s historic NCAA tournament run came to an end on Monday afternoon, and it happened in possibly the most heartbreaking way imaginable.
Pitt volleyball (18-4) shocked the entire sport on Sunday, outlasting Minnesota (16-3) in a five-set thriller 21-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-21, 15-11. The Panthers will face Washington in the Elite Eight on Monday at noon.

Panthers shock No. 3 Minnesota in thrilling comeback, will face Washington in regional finals on Monday

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 19, 2021
Just a few days after its first second-round NCAA Tournament victory, Pitt volleyball shocked the No. 3 Minnesota Gophers in a thrilling comeback. The Panthers will face No. 6 Washington in the Elite Eight on Monday at noon.
Senior right side hitter Chinaza Ndee finished with a team high 17 kills on Thursday night.

Pitt volleyball advances to Sweet 16 for first time in program history

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 16, 2021
The Panthers swept No. 14 Utah behind a powerful performance from senior captain Chinaza Ndee, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
Pitt volleyball’s NCAA tournament campaign begins on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. against LIU and continues with Utah the next day if the team advances.

Fisher, Panthers aim to overcome history of early departures at NCAA tournament

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 14, 2021
In the program’s 46 seasons of competition, no Panther team has made it past the second round of the postseason.
The Division I Women’s Volleyball Committee rewarded Pitt (16-4, 14-4 ACC) for its strong conclusion to the regular season, selecting the Panthers to their fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance. Pitt will meet Northeast Conference champion Long Island University (8-5, 8-4 NEC) in its first-round matchup on Wednesday, April 14, at 10:30 p.m.

Pitt volleyball earns NCAA tournament selection, will face LIU in first round

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 5, 2021
Fresh off of a 3-0 win against North Carolina, Pitt volleyball head coach Dan Fisher certainly didn’t boast a false sense of security about his team’s postseason fate. He said the team still needed to win its last two matches to have “no doubt” it would receive one of the 18 at-large NCAA volleyball tournament bids.
Pitt returned to form at the Fitzgerald Field House on Sunday, increasing its win streak to 10 with a 3-0 blowout against UNC.

Panthers overwhelm UNC 3-0 in final home match, extend win streak to 10

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • March 29, 2021
“We still feel like we did have a home-court advantage.” Despite limited attendance, Pitt returned to form at the Fitzgerald Field House on Sunday, sweeping UNC for its 10th straight victory.
Junior Nika Markovic started playing volleyball at the age of 7 and was named to the All-ACC First Team, AVCA All-East Coast Region First Team and was given an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention in 2017.

Nika Markovic: Slovenian student serves success

By Tessa Sayers, Staff Writer • September 14, 2018
When Nika Markovic decommitted from the University of San Francisco, she had no idea she would end up at Pitt. Born in Braslovce, Slovenia, Markovic began playing volleyball at the age of 7. No-one - not even her - thought volleyball would be her sport.
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