One down, five to go.

Sabrina Starks’ 10 blocks led Pitt’s dominant play at the net against an overmatched Howard team, dispatching them in Round 1 last night by scores of 25-9, 25-21, 25-14.

Pitt slogged through some errors and defensive breakdowns in the second set, trailing by as many as four points. But they got it together and swept Howard in under 90 minutes.

Tonight’s matchup won’t be as forgiving.

Cincinnati has perhaps the best volleyball player in the nation in Jordan Thompson. I’ve given you the rundown by now — Thompson is the NCAA leader in kills (including 50 in a match earlier this year) and led Team USA to clinch a spot in the Olympics this past summer.

Pitt was one of the only teams this year that could contain Thompson. Playing at the Fitzgerald Field House on the season’s opening weekend, the Panthers held Thompson to a season-low 11.5 points and beat Cincinnati handily (25-18, 25-13, 25-16).

But that was August, and this is December (I’m telling you just in case the change in temperatures didn’t tip you off).

SATURDAY NIGHT. BE IN THE SPOT.

And for anyone who has not made the trip to Oakland to see this Pitt team in the NCAA Tournament, it’s the end of Excuse Season.

Last year, Pitt hosted tournament matches for the first time. But the opening round was on the same night as the Pitt men’s basketball team taking on Duquesne in the City Game.

Pitt Volleyball advanced to play Michigan… the same night as the football team was getting roundhoused by Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

Last night, the big game in town was on the ice: Phil Kessel’s return to Pittsburgh as a member of the Arizona Coyotes.

Now, at last, Pitt Volleyball has center stage. And the ladies are looking to get past the second round of the NCAAs for the first time in program history. They were held off by Michigan last year and Penn State the two years prior.

It’s also the chance for the Panthers to get its first signature win at the Petersen Events Center.

I assumed that The Pete would always end up being too gargantuan for volleyball and that the optics would never look good. Even last season, when the matches there were some of the biggest in program history (topping out at 2,898 against Georgia Tech), it’s tough to make a 12,500-seat arena feel less than cavernous.

But the crowd at September’s match against Penn State changed my perspective. 5,195 strong filled up most of the lower level, and the noise of the Oakland Zoo created what a college team is always seeking: a great atmosphere.

It can be that way again tonight for volleyball’s re-sparking of the fabled (don’t laugh) River City Rivalry.

This Pitt team has more than done its job at 30-1. It got screwed over by the NCAA Volleyball committee, making tonight likely the last match on campus for the 2019 Panthers. This is a team Pittsburgh can get behind.

See you at The Pete.

Recaps abound from Friday night’s win against Howard! Check out the recaps from the Post-Gazette, TribLIVE, Pittsburgh Sports Now and Cardiac Hill. Props to these outlets for their coverage.

As for my coverage, this Day 7 of 22 for THE BANDWAGONER’S GUIDE TO PITT VOLLEYBALL. Thanks to the folks who have already subscribed to the daily newsletter. If you haven’t, what’s the hold up?

You’re a gem.