For the third consecutive season, Pitt women’s volleyball has advanced to the NCAA Tournament regionals.
The Panthers rolled to their second straight-set victory in two nights Saturday, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18, against No. 7 BYU in a second-round match at Petersen Events Center.
Courtney Buzzerio and Rachel Fairbanks each set Pitt program records. Buzzerio had 23 kills, the most in an NCAA Tournament match in the modern scoring era, and Fairbanks recorded the first NCAA Tournament triple-double in program history (10 kills, 28 assists and 13 digs).
It was her second triple-double of the season, becoming the first Panthers player to achieve multiple triple-doubles in a season since Carrie Norris in 2001.
PANTHERS WIN!!!!!
For the third straight season, the Pitt Panthers are in the Sweet 16!!!#H2P x #NCAAWVB pic.twitter.com/0L3yzRwAF6
— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB) December 4, 2022
The Panthers will play No. 3 seed Florida (25-5) in a Sweet 16 semifinal Thursday in Madison, Wisc.
“I would say we’re clicking at the right time,” Buzzerio said. “Things are going really well. Our defensive effort was much improved from (Friday) night from the start. I think we started out right off the bat asserting that. That just makes our offense that much better. The ball is up in the air so we have opportunities to swing constantly.
“We’re putting ourselves in really good positions, the way we’re preparing, taking our off times, with watching film and getting up for these games.”
A record crowd of 2,814 – the most for an NCAA Tournament match in program history – watched Pitt improve to 10-3 at the Pete, 6-2 in the tournament.
Coach Dan Fisher was pleased with his team’s effort and preparation but sorry to eliminate BYU so early in the tournament.
“It’s a shame we had to play them in the second round. I think they could have advanced (against another team),” he said.
“I’m glad we did get the win and I’m glad we did play a tough team. I think it will prepare us for what’s coming ahead.
“That was one of the most focused efforts I’ve seen from our team in a long time. My staff did a good job. We put together a good service plan. I liked our scout on them.
“I felt like we put them in good positions. But they really had to execute. We can put them in good spots, but they have to dig the ball. If you look at the dig line, that says a lot (58-42, Pitt).
“Really proud of this team and excited to still be alive at this point in the season.”
