174 thoughts on “WVB vs Louisville Final 4 Thread”

  4. Had a funeral this morning and took a 2 hour nap this afternoon to get ready. So calm watching Texas SDU. That will change shortly!

    Like

  7. Pitt vs. Louisville match will start around 9:44 PM EST. San Diego came out ready in the first set and managed to win it with several match point attempt. After the first set it was mostly Texas the rest of the way. Gabby Blossom had a nice serving run at the beginning of the fourth set, but San Diego could not hold it.

    Like

  8. Usually, in football, the replays are pretty conclusive one way or the other and the refs end up making the right call.

    But these volleyball reviews seem like they always go the opposite way I am seeing them. I don’t see a touch, they call it a touch. I think the ball is out, they call it in.

    Like

  28. Pitt came out very tight. It only counts as one set no matter how bad the score. The team that fought tooth and nail with Wisconsin needs to get their heads back in the fight.

    Like

  47. It is now past the collective bedtime of the POV…. And if we go into set 5, danh72 is going to turn into a pumpkin.

    Better overall play in set 2 from our Panthers. But our receiving of their serves has to improve, as does our setting to our outside hitters.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, that could be the killer. Pitt rebounded in Wisconsin after letting the first set get away from them, so it is still possible.

      Like

  59. Perhaps we need to replace Browske with Ennis in the backrow. Another option would be the freshman Dillyn Griffin.

    Like

  62. WTF Sling appears to have switched to some meaningless football game or Sports center from the match. I can’t get back, any suggestions?

    Like

  73. my head reinflated

    let’s face it, the only Pitting going on is with US POSTERS!!!!

    These girls are amazing no doubt!!!

    Lets GOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  87. All you can do is athletes to play their best and each one of the Pitt Volleyballers gave their max effort and showed guts and great heart against the last two better teams.
    So proud of all of them!! H2P

    Liked by 3 people

  89. Tough loss after another great season. I just wìsh they would have played their best. It’s easier to accept a loss when you’ve played well. Our serve receive and passing was not good tonight, sets were off the mark so we had to tip. You can’t win against the best teams when that happens.

    What the heck happened to Browske’s ability to pass? H2P, and I hope we snag a couple good ones off the portal. Good luck to the ‘ville on Saturday. They were definitely the best team out there tonight . Beat the Longhorns!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Agree on Browske. Looked out of position, had trouble handling served and passing not good. Off night. I think the Libero should be a look in the portal unless we have others. She at times looked like a freshman thrown into a game unprepared and a deer in headlights. Oh well.

      Great fight in this team. And what a season! They are stringing seasons together now and should be a great destination for players.

      Ext year a final?!

      H2P! Hail to women’s volleyball.

      PittWomen!

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Klika is only a sophmore and has been playing well. Last night she was a little off. Browske is #4 and was in the back a lot more than she has been since Klika took over libero. We have a freshman DS so I don’t think we need to portal that position. We’re losing 3 middles, an outside and right side hitters. We have 4 good recruits coming in, but it is difficult for a freshman to step into the starting lineup at the level we play. Those are portal needs IMO.

          Like

  90. Another fantastic season yet I’m sure disappointing for the ladies, but no shame in losing to Louisville. The cardinals will be the first acc school to ever play in a volleyball final. Go horns. Hookem. 🤘. Should be a fun Final.

    Pitt will get more talented players with length and that will put them over the top. Going to the final 4 twice now does get noticed by recruits. With more talent and now experience, a Natty will eventually come.

    Let’s just hope fisher stays at Pitt. He’s a very attractive candidate now. Some Cali school could make him an offer he can’t refuse. Would Pitt find the money to match? We’ll know soon enough.

    Liked by 1 person

  92. Another great season but I think Annie summed up the match correctly. There were shortfalls across the board. No single player cost us the match. Which is a good thing. Serve-receive was a struggle all night. Poor sets. Unforced errors by hitters. I don’t remember Cat serving a second serve all night. And I thought Coach Fisher tried every option he had available, except maybe Sabrina Starks in the middle (or maybe I missed that). And yet we took them to a fifth set which I consider to be like a basketball game going into OT, anyone’s game.

    I trust that Heather will do everything she can to keep Coach Fisher. She obviously successfully lobbied the Board and Chancellor to commit the funding to create a brand new Volleyball venue. Based on the info that John posted, we have already received commitments from 3 of the top high school recruits in the country. I’m sure it is Heather’s staff who make those recruiting visits memorable and the school attractive to the recruit and her family. Heather secures the budget and staff time commitments (evenings and weekends) to make that happen.

    And for those who have not had an opportunity to visit the Pete for a basketball game this season, I can report that there is massive earth moving and construction underway where Victory Heights is being built. It’s not just a pipe dream on paper. And much like the video’s I’ve seen of the new team facilities for softball and baseball, I expect that Victory Heights will have all of the bells and whistles and latest technology for conditioning and practice and video analysis.

    We all saw Heather near the team bench last night. I think she is showing the support needed to keep Coach Fisher and keep the volleyball program on the upward trajectory it enjoys right now.

    Liked by 3 people

  93. December 15, 2022​

    Pitt’s Alexandre Named Finalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year

    PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior defensive end Deslin Alexandre has been named a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award presented annually to the Division I college football player who has “demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.”

    Alexandre is one of only three finalists selected for the honor, joining Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and Oregon offensive lineman Alex Forsyth. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on Feb. 23, 2023.

    Named after one of the finest tight ends in the history of the sport, the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field.

    This is the second major leadership award to name Alexandre a finalist. Earlier this month, he was selected a finalist for the Coach John Wooden Citizen Cup. In September, Alexandre was named to the 2022 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team, which honors college football student-athletes for their dedication to community service and the positive impact they have made on the lives of others.

    Alexandre (Pompano Beach, Fla./Deerfield Beach) has highly distinguished himself on and off the field at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a two-time captain and three-year starter for the Panthers’ nationally ranked defense. He ranks among Pitt’s leaders in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (5.5) this season.

    In the classroom, Alexandre is a perennial Honor Roll student. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and is now pursuing an MBA in Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

    In the community, Alexandre sets the pace for Pitt’s entire athletic department, passionately dedicating time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, literacy promotion and Divine Mercy Parish’s historic “Red Door” program that provides meals and clothing for the homeless.

    Using his NIL opportunities for the greater good, he recently launched the “5th Down Campaign” to build awareness and mobilize resources for the impoverished children of Haiti, successfully reaching his goal of raising $50,000 for kids in the nation where Alexandre was born.

    Liked by 2 people

  95. I stopped posting because my Ipad compressed the comments box ?? What we witnessed last night (way past my bedtime) was a very good team losing to a GREAT team. Louisville had the talent and stamina to hold the fort after being pushed into the fifth set. Pitt is clearly a team that will be a super power (IF FISCHER STAYS) and will continue to get excellent players to come to the 412. My hat is off to a great year, terrific team and a coach who in my opinion should receive a BIG BONUS for his on-going major contributions to Pitt athletics.
    H2P!!

    Liked by 2 people

  96. Amazing winning percentage for fisher at .820. He probably is Pitts best coach. Sorry Coach Jay. But No apologies to the rest of the Pitt coaching bums.

    I think stats from three years ago maybe so if anything he’s even better than what’s down on paper.

    Click to access Coaching.pdf

    Liked by 1 person

  98. Agree that Louisville was just that much better in all skills, from their serving to their blocking, their kill shots, their sets, but I was most impressed with their digs. I thought it was amazing how many shots they saved from hitting the floor.

    DaBeers was terrific but they were strong from top to bottom. Pitt had no answer for their runs which put them at a deficit which they finally could not overcome.

    Some said we didn’t play our best, but Louisville had a lot to do with that.

    Hoping we keep the coach, he is terrific.

    Can some one tell me why the Western teams played early and the Eastern teams played late, seems really stupid, they lost a lot of eyeballs they could have had?

    Liked by 1 person

  99. I won’t root for any othe Louisville team but have to make an exception for these women. Go ACC. Isn’t it great to watch a sport without trash talking? Or posing for the cameras?

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Pitt played great to rebound from set one and played very well(amazing in spurts) but Louisville was the better team this night and with the DeBeers start in that 5th set, really showed who was the better team. For Pitt to win they needed to play closer to how they did v Wiscy but it was Louisville who consistently executed and it certainly wasn’t only DeBeers and Chausse but THEY were amazing everywhere and in particular those back court kills!

      Won’t root for Louisville much if ever again but I will Saturday night and frankly think they SHOULD win it all and I really am hoping for a sweep or 3-1 win

      Liked by 1 person

    1. These free agents just illustrate narduzzis deficiency at recruiting high school talent. It’s hit or miss with transfers. At least this kid may be good on special teams.

      Like

      1. Maybe McMillon can work his way into the starting line up…you never know. As much as I would get frustrated with Krull dropping some balls, he went from barely playing at Florida to really helping us out. Maybe the competition for playing time at a place like UF is a bit stiffer than Pitt. Good pick up.

        Like

      2. Devonshire didn’t play at Kentucky and will end up getting drafted. High school kids are more hit or miss. At least this kid got defensive snaps and they have college film to look at. Same with all the college transfers as long as they played some, there is tape at the college level to evaluate them.

        Like

        1. Like Dabo says and I trust his judgement, best to recruit high school kids instead of free agents. Why? Acclimation and culture from the very start. Far tougher for a free agent two years in a system to make a successful transfer. Easier on a high school kid with a sponge for a brain. You only get one impression for a mold.

          Like

          1. That is fine if you are Clemson Alabama Ohio State ND etc. The kids that leave WPA are looking for elite schools and programs unfortunately that is not Pitt. When they find they can’t make the first team or adapt to the culture, Pitt should be happy to get them.

            This is far from a bad reflection on Narduzzi, it says a lot that the relationships are strong enough that they return to Pitt.

            Pitt cannot compete for the 5 stars or many 4 stars, Narduzzi needs to get talent whereever he can and this takes a lot of effort, unrecognized by those that continually want to slam him and all things Pitt.

            Pitt continues to put a competitive number of guys in the NFL, pretty strong considering they are mostly 3 stars to begin with. Says a lot about player evaluation and coaching while they are here, but Dabo says….

            Liked by 2 people

            1. As a player, I wouldn’t like free agents coming in and being promised jobs. Especially if I was recruited out of high school and been in the system for several years. Showing my loyalty. Wouldn’t care if the mercenary was local. I still think it’s a bad reflection on narduzzis ability to recruit and develop his own players from high school. Again, I think Dabo is smarter than narduzzi about these things and respect his way of doing things.

              Like

              1. While I agree that it is tough on the kid that has been waiting his turn, times have changed, and you are totally missing the point, Dabo doesn’t have to rely on the portal because he gets his share of 4 and 5 star guys. Narduzzi does not have that luxury. Im sure that Nard would love to not have to use the portal. Fortunately for Pitt the Portal is helping to level the field a little, because kids no longer have to sit on the bench at the elite schools and are now available to schools like Pitt. There are also kids at the lower level that want to go to P-5 schools. This is college football today.

                To say that Dabo is somehow smarter than Narduzzi just reveals your agenda. Is Lincoln Riley dumber than Dabo for recruiting a future Heisman transfer or Biletnkoff winner?

                The fact is that schools like Pitt have to recruit freshmen and work the portal. To infer that this somehow makes them dumber than Dabo….

                To downplay getting Donovan McMillan from the portal is how this started, instead of a positive you try to make it a negative and set up a straw argument.

                Pitt’s use of transfers had had a positive impact on Pitt Football. Most fans respect that and know it needs to continue for Pitt to be successful.

                Like

  104. Congrats to the lady volleyballers on a great season. So close to getting into the National Championship game…

    Awesome job by Coach Fisher to identify and attract talent, then coach them up…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  107. For a bit of good news, it appears UCLA is not going after Coach Fisher. UCLA apparently is pretty cheap when it comes to what they pay their volleyball coach. Coach Fisher is out of their price range. Minnesota has hired a new coach so that job is off the table as well. I doubt Minnesota was a job that was of interest to Fisher.

    The next interesting news will be who Pitt recruits for the volleyball team out of the portal. Jess Robinson, Michigan’s best middle, has entered the portal. She could also be on Pitt’s radar along with Anna Dodson. Hopefully Fisher agrees to take Dodson as I believe she is the best middle in the portal. She also wants to come to Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  108. Fisher has Cali roots so any Cali school could be appealing. But I think it would take a huge offer to get his interest. And I’m pretty sure Pitt could come up with a matching offer. It’s not like volleyball coaches have huge buyouts or pull in major coin. And there are certain intangibles Pitt could offer if needed. It’s not always the money. He has a good gig at Pitt right now.

    Liked by 1 person

  110. Do any of you POVers remember Monica Wignot? Her story as a Pitt athlete is amazing but her story has a very sad ending.

    She played as a Senior on Coach Fisher’s first team at Pitt in 2013. The reason I remember her was that after playing VB for 4 years, she played on the Pitt women’s BB team as a grad student. This was in Coach McConnell’s first season at Pitt. Monica was 6-3 and she and Brianna Kiesel led that team to the last time the Pitt women went to the NCAA tourney.

    Here’s an excerpt from a newspaper article:

    “Wignot played volleyball at Pittsburgh from 2010 to 2013 and used her final year of eligibility to play one season for the women’s basketball team.

    As a volleyball player, she was a 2012 All-Big East honoree and has her name in the record books in several categories.

    “Monica was a fantastic athlete, a loyal teammate and a good person,” volleyball head coach Dan Fisher said in a news release. “She was on my first team at Pitt in 2013 and by the end of that year, she became the best player on our court. She had a big hand in helping turn this program around and I wish I could have coached her longer. I know how much her family, teammates and loved ones are hurting right now.”

    Monica died in a car crash in March, 2022, at age 29.

    I’m thinking Monica would have been riveted to watching last night’s match…

    Liked by 3 people

  111. So Wisconsin secures Luke Fickell and now hires Phil Longo. Air Raid is coming to Wisconsin. They better hit the portal hard. They need a roster change on offense.

    Of course Mac Brown immediately steals the UCF OC.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And king Pat steals one of Santa’s elves and makes him into strength coach. I hear Prancer was offered wide receiver coach.

      Like

  114. OT — Saw this set of numbers posted on the Lair:

    Players to Enter the Transfer Portal per SEC School:
    1) Texas A&M: 25
    2) Florida: 19
    3) Arkansas: 18
    3) Mississippi: 18
    5) Alabama: 15
    6) LSU: 13
    7) Miss St: 12
    7) Vanderbilt: 12
    9) Kentucky: 10
    9) Auburn: 10
    11) Missouri: 9
    11) South Carolina: 9
    13) Tennessee: 7
    14) Georgia: 1

    Crazy times…. Some schools losing what amounts to a full recruiting class into the portal. Course they could be the 4-stars who aren’t really 4-star, and so on…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. My neighbor 3 houses away from me and his wife are both very loyal Aggies….and they are very unhappy puppies. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel they have an extremely bright daughter studying in Swanson Engineering and she LOVES IT!!

      Liked by 4 people

    1. Interesting read, GC. I didn’t remember that Pitt offered him as a freshman. And I was surprised that Coach Duzz traveled down to Florida to visit Donovan in his apartment..

      Go Pitt.

      Like

    1. Thanks to Kenny and Addison. This year Pitt benefited from a weak schedule beating no team of significance, aka ranked at seasons end. The tech loss was brutal at home. Probably one of Pitts worst losses over the past 30 years. But the wins against the Hoopies and Miami were nice. I doubt king Pat improves on his 1-4 bowl record. He’s paid to win these games as well you know.

      Like

        1. Tennessee part of that weak schedule blew up Pitt’s season with a concussion to Slovis and injuries to Patti and many others. Pitt lost to Tennessee in overtime.

          Like

  118. Has Izzy announced for the NFL? I’m surprised Carter hasn’t decided to transfer. If he isn’t used in the bowl game, I predict he will be gone.

    Like

  119. Early signing day is next week so where does Pitt stand

    Ranked 53 in rivals
    Ranked 11 out of 14 acc schools
    Avg star rating of 3.0
    33 percent of the class is ranked 5.7 or above, one four star
    No top ten recruits out of PA, penn state has five – all 4 stars.
    Three times as many recruits from Florida than PA.
    9 of the 15 are offensive players

    Personally I like the focus on offense. The quality is identical to almost every narduzzi season. Would still like to see more kids from PA being recruited. The talent is there. Florida continues to be a good pipeline for non elite recruits. It’s a small class.

    Miami and Clemson with top ten classes.

    Like

    1. Florida has more good football players per square foot than Pennsylvania, 14.3 vs 3.6.
      Our volleyball team has 4 players from California and zero from Pennsylvania. Our volleyball coach sucks!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. There’s no excuse at narduzzis horrible efforts at recruiting PA talent. The nitters have five PA four stars. The Hoopies also have two in the top ten. Pitt again with zero.

        You need to give fans some local boys to cheer for. I just think king Pat has some poor relationships with local coaches.

        Like

  120. Over 1600 players have entered the portal since the window opened on Dec. 5th…

    Imagine being a coach and trying to figure this out. Recruiting is a whole new ballgame.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  121. Here is where coaching continuity is valuable. The Florida safety is a good example of a player who was previously recruited by the current head coach, has visited the campus and is familiar with the facilities and staff. Recruiting local kids can pay off in later years if the same coach is there.

    Liked by 1 person

  122. Alabama’s two best players and projected NFL 1st round draft picks will not quit on their teammates and plan to play in the meaningless bowl game, per Bronko Nagurski award winning OLB Will Anderson and former Heisman QB Bryce Young.

    Nick Saban was quoted this week saying he does not foresee any of his players opting out of the bowl game vs BIG 12 Champion Kansas State.

    That is one bowl game I plan to watch.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I once heard a coach tell his players, “Think long and hard about quitting. Because quitting gets easier every time you do it.”

      Liked by 2 people

  123. Per Fox News: 40,000 lbs of meatballs were spilled into a Virginia highway when a tractor trailer jackknifed causing an accident.

    That’s a lot of meatballs…

    Like

    1. Let’s just hope that narduzzi never jackknifes then. For what it would cost to clean up that mess, Pitt could build a new football stadium on campus.

      Like

  125. Speaking of Dennis who is playing in the Senior bowl, I think he is possibly the best ever linebacker at Pitt if you consider Green and Jackson as D-ends. Made many huge plays while at Pitt and should be getting more national awards.

    Like

      2. Al Chesley, Steve Fedell, Gerald Hayes, Clint Session, H.B. Blades, Scott McKillop, … Too many to mention. I have no idea how you can say one is the best.

        Like

  128. Speaking of meatballs Rick, I made 80 of my infamous Buffalo Chicken Balls for Christmas. Yes, I thought of you and Red 5A while I was making them.

    ^^ Looks like this comment may-be being held up in literature purgatory, spelling out the word Xmas may be taboo? I hope this doesn’t get reposted.

    Liked by 1 person

  130. Yeah GC, using Kenny Pickett and Jordon as an argument against Narduzzi is reaching and digging very deep deep into the rotten apple barrel to not like the guy, is beyond any words I can think of.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah and without Joe Burrough LSU doesn’t win an NC. Funny how USC couldn’t win their conference with a Heisman QB and Addison though.

      Like

      1. Also he neglects to mention how USC screwed Pitt out of at least two wins and a probable coastal and possible repeat conference championship.

        Liked by 1 person

  131. The Panthers play a totally meaningless game today against The Ospreys of The University of North Florida. The score who really cares?…my hope is that none of our players get injured in this scrimmage.

    Like

Comments are closed.