As soon as Pitt’s women’s volleyball team lost in the NCAA semifinals for a fifth straight season, we saw this sort of blather on social media:

“(Pitt) should be incredibly proud for representing the school and Pittsburgh like total pros. Keep those heads up.”

“I’m proud of Pitt volleyball. I admire the hell out of the way they carry themselves.”

“Be proud and hold that head high.”

What would be said if a men’s team — in any sport and at any level — lost five straight semifinals?

The conversation would revolve around choking. Can’t win the big one, etc.

We want women’s sports to be equal.

For that to happen, failure like Pitt’s should be analyzed in the same fashion as, say, the Buffalo Bills losing four straight Super Bowls from 1991-94.

Those Bills choked.

This Pitt women’s volleyball team choked. Is anybody wondering why, or is everybody too busy being proud?

Don’t treat a good women’s sports team like a novelty act that’s immune to criticism. That’s sexist.

Another unpleasant truth: Pitt has become a small-sports school. Great women’s volleyball. Football and men’s basketball? Meh at best.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)