Pitt
Villanova
Pittsburgh Cruises Past Villanova, 3-0
10/24/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 24, 1999
PITTSBURGH - Behind the strength of one of its most solid offensive performances of the season, the Pittsburgh Panthers volleyball team swept visiting Villanova, 3-0, today at Fitzgerald Field House.
The Panthers recorded an impressive .315 hitting efficiency with 63 kills, a season-high for a three-game match, while limiting Villanova to a .167 percentage and 42 kills.
Pittsburgh's offense was strong from the onset and helped the Panthers gather a 10-3 advantage over the Wildcats in the first game. Villanova could not overcome its deficit and fell, 15-5. In game two, Pittsburgh limited the Wildcats to just six kills, compared the Panthers' 13, to taka a 15-7 win. Villanova rebounded in game three and put up its strongest showing of the match, but Pittsburgh prevailed with a 15-13 win to take the match.
Pittsburgh's offensive effort was spread evenly with five Panthers registering double-figures in kills. Senior middle blocker Jenna Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) led the pack with 16 kills, while junior outside hitter Stacy Renick (Eagan, Minn./Minn.) was not far behind with 13 kills. Renick added nine digs and three blocks, including two solo, to her performance.
Junior Marcia Thiesen (Chatham, Ontario/John MacGregor) posted her fifth double-double of the season with 11 kills and a match-high 13 digs. Senior Peggy Meinhart (Newton, Ill./Newton) and freshman Tari Boutin (Burnsville, Minn./Burnsville) each contributed 10 kills apiece and added seven and eight digs, respectively. Setter Carrie Norris (Fostoria, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon) was also impressive with 50 kills and nine digs.
The victory improves Pittsburgh's record to 9-8 overall and 2-4 in the Big East.
The Panthers return to action this weekend when they travel to Seton Hall, Oct. 30 and Rutgers Oct. 31.
