Pitt Dominates SMU: Babcock's 29 Kills Shine

The Pitt Panthers are on a roll. Ten straight wins. Sunday's 3-1 victory over No. 11 SMU wasn't just another tick in the win column. It was a statement.

Babcock's Brilliance

Olivia Babcock. Remember the name. The 2024 AVCA Player of the Year didn't just show up, she took over. After a quiet start with just two kills in the first set, Babcock unleashed a season-high 29 kills, hitting a scorching .434. SMU had no answer.

In the third set, the Mustangs fought back. This set? Tense. Fourteen ties, four lead changes. But Babcock was everywhere, tallying 13 kills in that set alone. Even a fiery rally by SMU couldn't dim her light.

Mosher Runs the Show

But let's not forget Brooke Mosher. The setter ran Pitt's offense to a smooth .310 hitting percentage. That's big time. Her 52 assists were the backbone of Pitt's attack, and her defensive work, nine digs and a key block, was the secret sauce.

SMU's Fight

SMU? They came to play. Set three was theirs, ending 28-26, thanks to relentless defense and some clutch plays. But in the end, Pitt's power was just too much. SMU's late rally in the fourth set cut the deficit, but it wasn't enough.

Pitt now stands at 10-2 (2-0 ACC), eyes locked on Clemson next week. The Panthers are on a mission. And from here, it doesn't look like anyone's stopping them.

That's straight up dominant.

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• UC Irvine's Hosting Game? Next Level.

Source: NCAA