No. 15 Florida State Outlasts Pitt, 3-1

Sunday, October 16

Tallahassee, Fla.

1:00 PM

Pitt

14-6, 5-3ACC

Florida State

14-3, 7-1ACC

Pitt

Florida State

No. 15 Florida State Outlasts Pitt, 3-1

10/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Oct. 16, 2016

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The University of Pittsburgh volleyball team fell to No. 15 Florida State, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Tully Gymnasium in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Panthers [14-6, 5-3 ACC] opened the match with a first set loss, 25-22, but bounced back to defeat the Seminoles [14-3, 7-1 ACC] in extra points 26-24. Pitt dropped the final two sets to Florida State 25-20 and 25-23.

"In general I was really pleased with how we fought," said head coach Dan Fisher. "I was really proud of our defensive effort. We out-dug them by almost 20 digs.

"Despite posting more kills (62/46), assists (58/41) and digs (71/53) than the Seminoles, the Panthers were unable to get around Florida State's defense at the net as the nationally ranked team put together 20 team blocks.

"We weren't good enough at the net blocking," said Fisher. "We also had a few too many attacking errors but I was pleased with how we fought."

Pitt's offense was led by junior Mariah Bell, who was one of three players to tally double-digit kills. Bell concluded the match with 17 kills, while freshman Layne Van Buskirk and junior Kelsey O'Neill notched 14 apiece. O'Neill's mark was the highest of her career, while Van Buskirk tied her season-high.

"The one thing I'd say about Mariah [Bell] is that she just doesn't quit," said Fisher. "When things aren't going her way she keeps swinging and that's exactly what we want her to do. She's proven to be one of our toughest players. This was also a really big weekend for Jenna [Potts] and Kelsey [O'Neill] and Layne [Van Buskirk] were both solid offensively."

Redshirt senior Jenna Potts was the Panthers most consistent hitter, finishing the match with a .636 hitting percentage after roping off eight kills on 11 attempts with just a single error. Potts also had four blocks which led all Pitt players.

Sophomore setter Kamalani Akeo aided in the Panthers' offense, earning 53 assists. The Hawaii native also posted Pitt's lone double-double of the day capping off her 53 assists with 14 digs.

The Panthers' back row defense was led by redshirt sophomore Angela Seman who had 22 digs, while redshirt freshman Stephanie Williams had 12.

Set One: Pitt 22 Florida State 25
Pitt trailed early in the first set as Florida State got out to a 7-3 lead, forcing the Panthers to call its first timeout. Following the break, Pitt outscored the Seminoles 7-2 to come back and take a 10-9 lead.

Five of the Panthers seven points during that run came from kills.

The set remained close with both teams scoring points until Florida State scored three consecutive to lead the Panthers 19-16 and swing the momentum its way. Coach Fisher called his second timeout but it didn't slow the Seminoles who went on to win 25-22.

Set Two: Pitt 26, Florida State 24
Pitt bounced back in the second set as they picked up a 26-24 win and tied the match at one set apiece.

Pitt got out to a quick 4-1 lead in the opening of the set, but Florida State regrouped and outscored the Panthers 8-1 to move ahead 9-5. The Seminoles remained ahead and led 15-10 but Pitt found its rhythm and put up 10 points to FSU's two to earn a 20-17 lead.

The Panthers earned set point, 24-20, but four straight Seminoles points would tie the set at 24 all. Pitt would solidify the win on two final kills, one by Bell and one by Potts.

Set Three: Pitt 20, Florida State 25
For the third straight set, the Panthers trailed Florida State at the start of frame but this time caught up quickly thanks to Seminole errors.

Pitt and FSU remained close until the Seminoles took a three point lead at the midway point. Trailing, 17-14, Pitt put together a four-point run to move ahead 18-17 in the set and force FSU to use its final timeout.

The Panthers and Seminoles exchanged back-and-forth points out of the break, but a push by Florida State moved the home team ahead 22-20. Pitt took a timeout to attempt to slow the Seminoles but Florida State returned from the break and ended the set with three straight points.

Set Four: Pitt 23, Florida State 25
In a thrilling final set, the Panthers and Seminoles battled through a back-and-forth affair, in which neither team led by more than two points.

Trailing 16-14, Pitt's Bell put on a show for the Panthers collecting three consecutive kills to move Pitt ahead 17-16.

The Panthers and Seminoles exchanged back-and-forth points through the final volleys and both coaches used timeouts as both teams changed leads. FSU came out on top, 25-23, after scoring three points in a row to end the match.

Up Next
Pitt will return home for four straight matches at the Fitzgerald Field House. The home stand begins with Notre Dame Friday Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. and will continue versus Louisville Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.

The Panthers will conclude their home stand the following weekend when they take on NC State and North Carolina.

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