Pitt volleyball focuses on middle with 2018 recruiting class

The Pitt volleyball program is in the middle of a great season at 21-6 and the nice thing is that they will be returning nearly everyone next year. But the Panthers are already looking ahead to next year and this week, announced their 2018 recruiting class.

Pitt will add four players next season and placed a big emphasis on the middle of the front line. Three players, Sabrina Starks, Chandler Gorman, and Maddie Soboleski are all listed as either middle hitters or middle blockers, with Gorman listed at 6’3”. The fourth recruit is Natalie Steibel - a top 150 recruit that is an outside hitter and was an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American.

The focus on the middle seems necessary. One of the two players Pitt loses this year is reserve transfer Alex Rosignol, who comes off the bench behind Chinaza Ndee and Layne Van Buskirk. And while the 6’3” Van Buskirk will be staying put, it was mentioned on a recent broadcast of a game that Ndee could move to the outside. The other other middle on the team is backup Emily Horner, who is mostly a serving specialist. She is also a junior and will be gone after next year.

Additionally, Soboleski is also listed as a setter, which is another position Pitt will need to take seriously. The current setter, Kamalani Akeo, has been incredible but is also a senior next year. As of now, it looks like redshirt freshman Kylee Levers could take that spot after next season.

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