Spring practices are underway for Pitt volleyball as Dan Fisher’s team prepares for a pair of games in April to test out their new squad. One player who’s poised to take a jump for the Panthers is outside hitter Blaire Bayless.
Not only is she putting in work at Fitzgerald Field House, but she got another opportunity to work with Team USA back in February.
She was invited to train at the U.S. women’s national team open program. It’s a development opportunity used for potential selection to both the U.S. women’s national team and age-group national teams.
Bayless participated in the camp last year, too. She ended up earning a spot on the under-19 squad, competed in Canada and ultimately won gold.
“With it being my second time going, I definitely kind of knew what to expect,” Bayless said. “It was just really cool to come in every day. It's a lot of six-on-six. It’s a lot of fun because all of those girls you've never played with before and they're all from different schools, different conferences.”
The call couldn’t have come at a better time. Bayless is preparing to take on an increased role for Pitt volleyball this upcoming season and she’ll be able to use what she’s learned at USA camp.
Last season’s starters, Torrey Stafford and Valeria Vazquez Gomez, aren’t with the team anymore. Stafford transferred to Texas, and Vazquez Gomez currently plays for the Omaha Supernovas of the Pro Volleyball Federation.
For a couple of days in January, Bayless was actually the only outside hitter on Pitt’s roster for the 2025 season. Incoming freshman Samara Coleman was supposed to join the Panthers in the spring semester but ultimately ended up switching to play closer to home at TCU.
Fisher did add Oregon transfer Sophia Gregoire by the end of January. Now, there’s just the two of them in the position group on the roster.
“It was definitely different because we always just have such a deep roster,” Bayless said. “Last year, we were very lucky to have so many talented girls. Even though it was an issue for our team roster-wise, it didn't really affect our practices or the team at all. A lot of the other hitters just stepped up and filled in during practice. And now that Sophie's here, things are great. Things are smooth.”
Of course, it’s still not an ideal number to practice six on six, but alumna Cat Flood has been participating in practice to help. She’ll also play in the Panthers’ spring games on April 12 and April 13.
Bayless has a straight shot to a starting spot. She was the third-most utilized outside hitter for Pitt last season and even was part of the 6-2 rotation when it was used. She played in 33 matches and 89 sets, totaling 73 kills, 39 digs and 26 blocks. She set a career high in kills twice against Boston College and Virginia Tech.
The Plano, Texas, native knows she has areas to work on before August rolls around. Fisher tends to prefer six rotation players, meaning they can play front and back row interchangeably. Bayless showcased her front-row abilities last season but has room to grow in the back.
“I’m trying to be more of an all-around player,” Bayless said. “That definitely comes with improving my passing. I got a lot of really great opportunities to hit and block this year and I'm really proud of how far I've come in that aspect. That next step for me is just being as much of a threat in the back row as I am in the front row.”
She’ll be able to use what she’s learned with Team USA as she prepares to make the jump, too. Bayless said the coaches there — as well as Fisher — expressed the importance of adaptability. She’s hoping she can enhance that aspect of her game, especially considering how different the roster looks from last year.
Only three starters return for Pitt in right-side hitter Olivia Babcock and middle blockers Bre Kelley and Ryla Jones. The Panthers will have new starters at setter, libero and outside hitter.
“I was playing with brand-new setters and passing alongside other passers that I've never played with before,” Bayless said. “Being able to go in this season, expect anything really and adapt on the spot is definitely something that I learned from them. I feel like that's important.”
Even though Bayless is the clear choice for one of the starting outside hitter spots, she knows that can change quickly if she’s not up to par. The coaching staff also still has time to add more players with the spring transfer portal window coming up.
Fisher has brought some big names to the program in the spring in the past, with current All-American middle blocker Kelley being a spring addition, as well as former standout Courtney Buzzerio.
“No matter who's on the roster, that's something I have to earn,” Bayless said, “whether that's skill-wise or just from the team, earning their trust when I'm out on the court. And we definitely need to continue to build that roster, so I'm going to have to earn that spot, regardless of how many spots there are.”
First Published: March 19, 2025, 5:55 p.m.
Updated: March 20, 2025, 1:37 p.m.
