Panthers Ranked Number Three in AVCA Preseason Poll to Begin Season
8/6/2025 1:30:00 PM | Volleyball
PITTSBURGH – The AVCA announced the 2025 Division I Preseason Poll on Wednesday afternoon, and the Panthers are set to begin their season ranked number three, the highest in program history. This marks the third straight season Pitt has been ranked top five in the poll and sixth straight Pitt has begun in the top 10.
Pitt is coming off its fourth consecutive NCAA Semifinal appearance and third straight ACC Championship. The Panthers return 2024 AVCA National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock, AVCA Second Team All-American Bre Kelley and All-ACC Freshman Team member Ryla Jones. The trio was named to the All-ACC Preseason Team alongside junior outside hitter Blaire Bayless. Pitt's four recipients marked the most in the conference.
The Panthers will play 17 matches against 2024 NCAA Tournament participants, including three teams that advanced to the National Semifinal (Nebraska, Penn State and Louisville), two Elite Eight teams (Kentucky and Stanford) and a Regional Semifinal team (Florida).
Pitt begins its season on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. EST in Lincoln, Neb. at Pinnacle Bank Arena as it takes on 2024 Co Big Ten Champion and Final Four participant Nebraska in the AVCA First Serve Showcase on FOX. Pitt finishes the weekend on ESPN against Florida on Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. EST.
