Pitt got strong starts to the first, third and fourth sets in their win over Louisville and it played an important role in them taking the match,. They had a lead in the first set, fended off the Cardinals to make it , stayed up and held off their rival for the set victory.
Pitt went on a run, after starting the third set up , to increase their advantage to They still had to fight till the end, but would win the period, The Panthers broke open a lead on a run in the fourth set and would take it , as the Cardinals stood no chance in that period.
Pitt came out on top because of the great starts. Facing a tough rival on the road, you can't go down early and they came right at Louisville and got the victory. The Cardinals won the second set because they opened with a lead and fended off comebacks from the Panthers, and to end the period with an run to win it, This rivalry has shown that neither team has much of a chance to comeback if the lead grows too large.
The talent on both sides is too great and Pitt showed they were the better team in this one. Pitt has now won four straight matches vs. Louisville dating back to last season, as they have taken control of the rivalry, the best in women's college volleyball. Pitt has kept the momentum going this season vs. Louisville, as they also won in five sets on Oct. This is the first win for the Panthers in Louisville since they swept the Cardinals in They lost in five sets in and suffered sweeps in both and It also ties the longest winning streak for Pitt over Louisville, as they won four from It is also just the fifth win in Louisville all-time, with previous victories in , and Louisville won six out of seven matchups vs.
Pitt from Oct. The Panthers have shown the Cardinals that they are the dominant team in this rivalry at the moment and that they know how to defeat one of the best teams in the country, consistently. Pitt has a number of fantastic players on their roster, but their best players put on dominant peformances in the win over Louisville. Sophomore outside hitter Torrey Stafford finished with 17 kills, tying her season-high, and added 13 digs for her fifth double-double of and ninth of her career.
