Pitt held Howard to a -.196 hitting percentage in the first set and the Panthers finished the set with a .421 hitting percentage.
In the second set, it was back and forth to start and Howard took an 8-5 lead, but the Panthers rallied to even the set at 12. Pitt would take the lead from that point and not relinquish it as they won the set 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead.
It was much more even in the second as Pitt held a slight advantage in hitting percentage (.393 to .278) and Kills (15-14).
Howard jumped out to an early lead in set three, but Pitt responded to take an early 7-3 lead and kept the momentum to win the set 25-14 and sweep the match, 3-0.
Leaders for the Panthers Friday night were Lexis Akeo (25 Assists), Kayla Lund (2 Aces), Stephanie Williams (10 Kills) and Hali Hillegas (11 Digs).
The Panthers will take on Cincinnati Saturday night at 7 pm the Petersen Events Center in the 2nd Round.
