In a thrilling day of NCAA Women’s Volleyball, top-ranked Pittsburgh once again asserted its dominance, cruising to a four-set victory over No. 3 Louisville, while other teams put up surprising performances, including a number of five-set thrillers. From reverse sweeps to shocking upsets, it was a day filled with heart-pounding action and championship implications across the country.
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Pitt Clinches a Tie for the ACC Title
Top-ranked Pittsburgh (28-1, 18-1) didn’t waste any time asserting its place as one of the top teams in the country, defeating third-ranked Louisville (25-4, 17-2) in four sets. In a match at the KFC Yum! Center, where next month’s NCAA Championship will take place, the Panthers proved that they were ready to handle the pressure of postseason expectations.
Led by the dominant performance of Olivia Babock, who recorded 23 kills, hit .311, and contributed five digs, five blocks, and two aces, Pittsburgh came from behind to secure a 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, 25-16 victory. With this win, Pittsburgh not only secured the vital points to claim at least a tie for the ACC title, but they also sent a message to the rest of the country that they’re one of the most formidable teams in the nation.
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Louisville put up a strong fight, especially in the second set, but ultimately fell short. Their loss means the Cardinals’ hopes of a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament are now more uncertain, although their solid season should keep them in contention for a high-ranking seed.
BYU Upsets Kansas: A Surprising Turn of Events
In one of the biggest upsets of the day, BYU, which had fallen out of the AVCA Top 25 just a week ago, stunned No. 10 Kansas (24-6, 13-5) with a 3-1 victory. The Cougars (22-7) demonstrated resilience, playing with intensity and composure throughout the match to claim the win in four sets, 25-22, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20.
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The victory over Kansas was especially important for BYU, who had struggled to maintain a consistent level of play in recent weeks. This triumph gave the Cougars a much-needed boost, not only keeping their NCAA Tournament hopes alive but also proving their potential to make a deep run when it matters most.
Kansas, on the other hand, had been rolling through the season with impressive wins, and while they are still a dangerous team, this loss serves as a reminder that no match is guaranteed in the unpredictable world of NCAA volleyball.
Reverse Sweeps: A Season of Stunning Comebacks
As has become the trend in this unpredictable season, reverse sweeps continue to make headlines. No. 6 Stanford (26-4) pulled off a spectacular comeback against No. 19 Georgia Tech (21-8) after dropping the first two sets, eventually winning 22-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-18, 15-12. Ipar Kurt was a standout performer for the Cardinal, finishing with 20 kills and hitting .381, while Sami Franci added 11 kills and 11 blocks in the dramatic win. Georgia Tech had dominated early on, with Tamara Otene contributing 26 kills, but Stanford’s resilience proved insurmountable.
Similarly, No. 11 Purdue (26-6) completed a reverse sweep against No. 14 Oregon (23-7), coming back from two sets down to claim the victory 19-25, 22-25, 29-27, 25-23, 15-13. Eva Hudson played a critical role in the win, with 28 kills, 20 of them coming in the final three sets. Purdue’s dramatic victory helped keep their NCAA seeding hopes alive while Oregon was left to regroup after a painful loss.
Big Upsets in the SEC and Other Conferences
In other thrilling matches, South Carolina (16-10, 7-8) shocked No. 16 Florida (23-6, 13-5) in five sets for the second time this season. After a rollercoaster of emotions and a back-and-forth battle, the Gamecocks emerged victorious 25-20, 22-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-13. South Carolina’s win over the Gators was a massive upset, showing their resilience and determination to upset a Florida team that had been performing well all season.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin (25-5, 16-3) battled hard to secure a five-set victory against Ohio State (21-10, 13-7), with Sarah Franklin leading the charge with 25 kills. Wisconsin’s hard-fought win keeps them in contention for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, No. 20 USC (25-6) claimed a solid four-set win at Washington, and No. 15 Minnesota (22-7) managed to beat Illinois in four sets. The Big Ten is shaping up to be one of the most competitive conferences heading into the postseason.
More Action Across the Country: The Wild World of NCAA Volleyball
The drama didn’t stop there, as several other teams provided more thrills on the day. In the Big Sky quarterfinals, top-seeded Northern Colorado (26-5) staged a remarkable comeback against eighth-seeded Montana State, overcoming a 0-2 deficit to win 21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 25-21, 15-12. Gabi Placide was the star for Northern Colorado, with 20 kills, two blocks, and 10 digs.
Villanova (20-10) delivered one of the biggest surprises of the Big East Championship, upsetting No. 3 UConn (23-6) in five sets. Freshman Campbell McKinnon was the star for Villanova, finishing with 15 kills, two aces, seven digs, and a career-high 11 blocks. It was the first time since 2019 that Villanova had made it to the semifinals, and they now have their sights set on the championship.
In the Big West, the top seeds held form with Cal Poly (22-6) defeating Long Beach State (19-8) and Hawai’i (21-6) overpowering UC Davis (20-7). In the Mountain West, sixth-seeded Boise State (19-12) shocked third-seeded Utah State (22-7) with a 3-2 win, only to later announce that they would forfeit their semifinal match against second-seeded San Jose State (22-7), citing the need for a better system for athletes.
Looking Ahead: Thanksgiving Weekend Showdowns
As we move into the Thanksgiving weekend, several crucial matches will determine NCAA Tournament seedings and conference titles. On Friday, No. 1 Nebraska (28-1) will face No. 4 Penn State (28-2) in what promises to be an explosive match for the Big Ten title. With both teams already guaranteed high seeds for the NCAA Tournament, this match will provide one final tune-up before the postseason.
Additionally, Louisville will look to bounce back from its loss to Pittsburgh as it heads to Stanford, while a slew of Big 12 and SEC matchups will also take place. The Big East Championship continues with four teams vying for the coveted title, and the Mountain West will feature a single match between Colorado State and San Diego State.
With so many exciting storylines unfolding, NCAA Volleyball has never been more thrilling. As the season nears its conclusion, the road to the NCAA Championship promises even more surprises and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned!
