The No. 1 Panthers, with a record of 19-1 and 9-1 in the ACC, face Virginia (17-4, 7-3 ACC) and Virginia Tech (7-13, 1-9 ACC) this weekend . . Pitt leads the series against Virginia 18-3 and is aiming for their 12th straight win over them. Last season they defeated the Cavaliers in straight sets, with Olivia Babcock and Torrey Stafford playing crucial roles. On Sunday, they will look to extend their lead against Virginia Tech after also winning their previous match against them last year. Key player Valeria Vazquez Gomez is just two kills away from her thousandth career milestone.

By the numbers

• Pitt has a series record of 18-3 against Virginia and has won 11 straight games.
• Valeria Vazquez Gomez needs 2 kills and 50 digs to become the eighth player in program history to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

State of affairs

• Pitt is ranked No. 1 and has a current record of 19-1 overall and 9-1 in the ACC.
• The Panthers recently defeated No. 4 Louisville and Notre Dame, showcasing their strong performances under Rachel Fairbanks, who earned her third ACC Co-Setter of the Week honors this season.

What’s next

Looking ahead, the Panthers will continue to build on their momentum from recent wins in hopes of solidifying their top spot in the ACC. Maintaining strong performances from key players like Babcock and Stafford will be crucial as they focus on the postseason.

In short

The Panthers are well positioned to extend their dominance in the ACC. With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, they are eyeing both conference and national championships as they navigate the final weeks of the season.