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
Kamalani Akeo joined middling Pitt volleyball as a walk-on and left it as a two-time conference champion with three wins in the NCAA Tournament. In her post-playing days, she looks to push program limits even further.

In post-playing days, Akeo bridges two generations of Pitt volleyball excellence

By Stephen Thompson, Senior Staff Writer • June 24, 2021
After Kamalani Akeo finished kickstarting the most successful era in Panthers volleyball history, she returned to Oakland this January as a volunteer assistant coach. Alongside head coach Dan Fisher, Akeo pushed program limits even further — helping the Panthers reach the Elite Eight this spring.
Pitt senior right side hitter Chinaza Ndee reflected on the path that led her to this moment in front of reporters at a Zoom press conference last week. The team captain had just posted a 17-kill performance, boosting her team to a straight-set win over No. 14 Utah to advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Panther star Chinaza Ndee embraces leadership role on and off the court

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 22, 2021
Pitt senior Chinaza Ndee has taken her leadership role on the volleyball team in stride, navigating the team to success both on and off the court this year.
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.
Senior outside hitter Kayla Lund put away three crucial kills at the end of the first set.

Panthers sweep Sharks, advance to NCAA tournament second round

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 15, 2021
Pitt volleyball rewarded its dedicated fans with a late-night sweep in the NCAA tournament first round last night. The Panthers face No. 14 Utah tonight, looking to reach the third round 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.
Pitt star forward Amanda West was named ACC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week on Tuesday for her performance in the Panthers’ final game of the regular season against Kentucky.

Panthers receive recognitions across multiple sports

By Alex Lehmbeck, Sports Editor • April 9, 2021
Punxsutawney Phil may have had Pitt in mind when he predicted six weeks of winter before one of the most “beautiful and brightest” springs ever. The Panthers got the spring started in great fashion with a slew of accolades across multiple sports.
Three Panthers qualified for the NCAA regional meet — junior Katie Chamberlain, sophomore Lauren Beckwith, and graduate Katrina Coca (pictured). Chamberlain was scratched before the meet began due to injury, while Beckwith and Coca scored 9.9 and 9.7, respectively, on the bars.

Weekend sports recap: Trio of Pitt gymnasts compete at NCAA regionals

By Griffin Floyd, Staff Writer • April 4, 2021
Pitt sports had an eventful weekend, with the gymnastics team finishing its season at the National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastics Regional Meet in Morgantown, West Virginia, volleyball concluding its regular season with a pair of conference matchups and softball continuing its difficult season at home in a series against Louisville.
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 4, 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.
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