Playing in the NCAA tournament is nothing new for Pitt volleyball, but this year feels different. Only a handful of Panthers have actually lived moments like this, and while the first round brought few issues against UMBC, the nerves of inexperience showed in round two against Michigan.

The Wolverines never gave the home team breathing room, and it never felt like a sweep. So when Pitt finally closed out a hard-fought 3-0 win (25-23, 25-23, 25-18) on Saturday night, the No. 1 seed let some emotions show.

After the usual post-match photo, Pitt lingered on the court far longer than usual, celebrating. Veterans like Olivia Babcock and Bre Kelley quickly wrapped freshman teammates — Marina Pezelj and Abbey Emch — into long hugs. The freshmen, and the transfers, were headed to their first reg

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