Volleyball Captures 3-1 Win Over West Virginia

11/10/2000

The Panthers will play Rutgers on Friday in the Big East Tournament.

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh volleyball team earned its 22nd win of the season with a 3-1 win over host West Virginia, Nov. 10 in the final regular season contest for both teams.

The Panthers' record improved to 22-9 overall (8-3 in the Big East) and marks Pittsburgh's best record since 1996 when it finished with a 22-11 mark.

With the win over West Virginia, Pittsburgh locked up the number-three seed spot in the Big East Tournament. The Panthers will begin play in the league tournament, hosted by Notre Dame, Nov. 18 when they meet number-two seed Rutgers at 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead over the Mountaineers with a 15-13 decision in game one. West Virginia bounced back for the 15-7 victory in game two, but the Panthers sealed the win with 15-11 and 15-7 decisions over the next two games.

Senior outside hitter Marcia Thiesen (Chatham, Ontario/John MacGregor) recorded her 18th double-double of the season with a game-high 20 kills and 15 digs. Three other Panthers recorded double-figures in kills, including freshman right side Wendy Hatlestad (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) who had 13 kills. Senior Stacy Renick (Eagan, Minn./Eagan) added 11 kills and fellow senior Jennifer Nickels (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North) had 10 of her own. Sophomore setter Carrie Norris (Fostoria, Ohio/Hopewell-Loudon) also had a double-double with 49 assists and 11 digs.