Pitt
7-2,0-0ACC
Ohio
2-6,0-0MAC
No. 7 Panthers Sweep Ohio Saturday Afternoon
9/13/2025 4:29:00 PM | Volleyball
DAYTON, OHIO – The No. 7 Panthers (7-2, 0-0 ACC) won their seventh match of the season against Ohio (2-6, 0-0 MAC), 25-16, 25-15, 25-12 to wrap up the Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Invitational. Sophia Gregoire led the Panthers with a season-high 10 kills, and Blaire Bayless trailed closely behind with nine. Both hit incredibly efficient numbers with a .450 and .438 hitting clip to their names, respectively. Marina Pezelj recorded a career-high eight kills on a .500 hitting percentage and helped on the defensive end with five digs and two blocks.
The Panthers and Bobcats were tied early at 8-8, but a 10-6 run behind Dalia Vírlan's first career ace forced Ohio to take a timeout. Freshman Izzy Masten subbed into the match and rallied off a 5-0 run including a pair of aces to propel Pitt to a 25-16 first set victory.
Ohio came within one point at 7-6 in the second, but an efficient Panther offense and a handful of Ohio unforced errors was enough for the Bobcats to call a timeout, down 16-10. Service runs from Mallorie Meyer and Kiana Dinn, who recorded her first career ace in the stretch, powered the Panthers to handily win set two, 25-15.
Despite being tied 5-5, the Panthers turned up the heat offensively once again to hold a 13-7 lead at the Ohio timeout. Pitt did not let up and eventually won the third set, 25-12, and the match, 3-0.
NOTES
• Sophia Gregoire and Blaire Bayless combined for 19 of Pitt's 40 kills
• Dalia Vírlan recorded a personal best five blocks and her first career aces (2)
• Izzy Masten added a career-high three aces
• Kiana Dinn notched her first career ace
• Marina Pezelj added a career-high eight kills
• Haiti Tautua'a tied her personal best with eight digs to lead the Panthers
