NCAA volleyball star Olivia Babcock will return to Pitt for a 5th season

A lot of folks expected this to be Olivia Babcock’s final season of college volleyball at the University of Pittsburgh.

However, due to a new NCAA rule, Babcock — the two-time AVCA National Player of the Year — now has an extra year of eligibility.

And she’s taking advantage of it.

Babcock and fellow All-ACC teammate Blaire Bayless announced Saturday, Sept. 26 during the first quarter of Pitt’s football game against Bucknell. With Babcock still in the fold next season, Pitt is likely to once again be a contender for the national title. Under coach Dan Fisher, the Panthers have advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in each of the past five seasons.

Pitt, which is 11-0 on the season with Babcock and Bayless leading the way, are ranked second in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll.

“It's hard to put into words what Olivia and Blaire mean to Pitt volleyball, and we're thrilled that they have chosen to come back and give us another year," Fisher said in a statement. "Both players are incredibly competitive, committed to this program and hungry to finish what they've started. Having the opportunity to coach them for another season is a…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/