Pitt women's volleyball releases fall schedule

In accordance with a design developed by the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Pitt women’s volleyball team will play eight matches this fall against four regional conference opponents.

The three-time defending ACC champion Panthers released their schedule Friday morning. They will face Syracuse, Boston College, Notre Dame and Louisville.

Play begins with a trip to Syracuse for matches Sept. 25 and 26.

Pitt hosts Boston College Oct. 9 and 10 at Fitzgerald Field House and travels to Notre Dame for matches Oct. 16 and 18.

The Panthers will conclude the fall schedule with home matches against Louisville on Oct. 23 and 25.

Friday’s announcement follows the ACC’s July 29 release of information pertaining to the overall volleyball schedule for the 2020 season. It also will proceed with health and safety protocols outlined in the ACC’s Medical Advisory Report.

The conference’s 15 teams are split into three pods of five teams. No plans for a postseason tournament have been released.

Returning for Pitt are a pair of senior American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans in team co-captains Kayla Lund and Chinaza Ndee.

Lund earned 2019 ACC Player of the Year honors, while Ndee was an All-ACC first-team selection last year as the Panthers finished 30-2 overall and a perfect 18-0 in ACC matches. Lund and Ndee combined for 43.2% of the team’s total kills output in 2019.

Pitt was the first ACC team to finish conference play undefeated since 2004.

The Panthers went 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament, topping Howard in the first round before an upset loss to Cincinnati in the second round.

Pitt athletics also said Friday that it continues to work with health officials and colleagues from throughout the country regarding fans being able to attend the October home matches.