Pitt
West Virginia
Voleyball Captures 3-1 Win Over West Virginia
11/5/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 5, 1999
PITTSBURGH -- Senior middle blocker Jenna Birkel recorded her 1000th career kill as the Pittsburgh Panthers volleyball team captured a 3-1 win over West Virginia tonight at Fitzgerald Field House. Pittsburgh is now 28-0 all-time against the Mountaineers.
Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X) broke the 1000-kill plateau in the second game and led the Panthers with 16 in the match. She now has 1,010 career kills.
After dropping a 15-10 decision in game one, Pittsburgh rallied to take a 16-14 win in the second game despite West Virginia's 6-0 early lead. The third game saw the Panthers take a narrow 15-13 decision. Pittsburgh held West Virginia to just eight kills on 42 attempts in game four (compared to 25 of its own) and went on to a quick 15-8 victory to take the match.
Junior outside hitter Marcia Thiesen (Chatham, Ontario/John MacGregor) had a career-high 25 digs, while adding 13 kills for her eighth double-double of the season. Peggy Meinhart (Newton, Ill./Newton), a senior middle hitter, also recorded a career-high in digs with 21 and added 10 kills and six blocks to her effort.
Also with double-doubles in the match were junior outside hitter Stacy Renick (Eagan, Minn./Eagan) and freshman setter Carrie Norris (Fostoria, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon). Renick contributed 16 kills, 12 digs and six blocks, and Norris had a career-high 64 assists and 19 digs.
The Panthers' record stands at 10-10 overall and 3-6 in Big East Conference play.
Pittsburgh returns to action next weekend for its final regular-season matches of the 1999 season. It hosts Providence at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, and Boston College at noon on Nov. 14.
