Women's Volleyball Hosts Two Big East Matches This Weekend
10/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 28, 2011
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh women’s volleyball team returns to Fitzgerald Field House this weekend, hosting a pair of Big East matches. The Panthers play Marquette on Saturday, Oct. 29 and Syracuse on Sunday, Oct. 30. Both matches begin at 2 p.m.
The Pitt-Marquette contest marks the Panthers’ Halloween Youth Day as children are encouraged to wear costumes to Trick or Treat after the match. Pitt will also host its final children’s clinic after the contest.
Pitt (14-10, 4-5 Big East) knocked off previously undefeated Louisville, 3-1, last Sunday. Senior Kiesha Leggs registered a career-best 24 kills in the match and earned her first Big East Player of the Week honor for her efforts.
Freshman Lindsey Zitzke posted her fifth double-double of the season in the win over the Cardinals. She tallied 44 assists and 11 digs.
Marquette (18-6, 8-0 Big East) earned two five-set victories last weekend over Seton Hall and Rutgers. The Golden Eagles came from behind in both contests. Ciara Jones recorded her 1,000th career kill on Sunday and paces Marquette with 3.62 kills per set.
Despite dropping a straight-set decision to Marquette last year, Pitt leads the all-time series, 6-3.
Syracuse (16-8, 5-3 Big East) enters the weekend on a three-match win streak. The Orange posted wins over Rutgers (3-1) and Seton Hall (3-1) last week. Samantha Hinz posted a career-high 14 blocks against the Pirates and leads the nation with 158 on the year.
Last season, Leggs tallied a match-high 13 kills and four blocks in a five-set win over Syracuse. Pitt holds a 28-4 edge in the series.