Pitt Volleyball Stars Olivia Babcock and Blaire Bayless Make Major Announcement About Their Futures

Seniors Olivia Babcock and Blaire Bayless have made a shocking announcement about their intentions to use their newly implemented fifth years.

Dec 18, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers right side hitter Olivia Babcock (5) serves during the second set against the Texas A&M Aggies in a 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinal match at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

A surprising announcement came at the Pittsburgh football game that will undoubtedly have ripple effects across the sport of volleyball on Saturday.

As reported by Abby Schnable, Director of Storytelling and Multimedia Content at Pitt, senior stars Olivia Babcock (OP) and Blaire Bayless (MB) have announced they'll return to Pitt volleyball for a fifth season.

BREAKING: Olivia Babcock and Blaire Bayless have announced they'll return to Pitt volleyball for a fifth season.

Babcock — the 2x AVCA National Player of the Year and 3x First Team All-American — is planning to bring her talents back for another run with the Panthers in 2027.

— Abby Schnable (@AbbySchnable) September 26, 2026

Babcock is a two-time AVCA Player of the Year (2024, 2025) and is presumably the frontrunner this year. She currently leads the team in points scored (216.5), points per set (6.01), kills (182), kills per set (5.06), total swings (377), and service aces (15). She is third on the team in digs (70) and blocks (38). Babcock is currently hitting .369 through Pitt's first 11 matches. She is a two-time Honda Award winner and a two-time ESPY finalist for Best College Athlete, Women's Sports. She is closing in on the program's all-time career records in both kills and service aces.

Bayless is second on the team in points scored (132.5), points per set (3.58), kills (120), kills per set (3.24), total swings (295), and digs (74). Bayless is currently hitting .275.

Babcock and Bayless have been the Final Four three times with Pitt and have an overall record of 103-12, including going 37-11 against ranked opponents.

Pittsburgh outside hitter Blaire Bayless (8) is shown during their match against Xavier Monday, August 24, 2026 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The match was part of the four-day American Volleyball Association First Serve event. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

"It's hard to put into words what Olivia and Blaire mean to Pitt volleyball, and we're thrilled that they have chosen to come back and give us another year," Head Coach Dan Fisher said in an official statement. "Both players are incredibly competitive, committed to this program and hungry to finish what they've started. Having the opportunity to coach them for another season is a blessing and a huge honor. The future looks very bright!"

Pitt is currently No. 2 in the AVCA and was preseason No. 1 in the ACC.

Five in Five

Babcock and Bayless are among the first big volleyball stars to announce their intention to use their fifth year under the NCAA's new Five in Five rule.

Passed in June 2026, the policy replaces the traditional structure in which athletes were granted four seasons of competition within a five-year window, utilizing a "redshirt" or "medical redshirt" to sit out a season without losing eligibility.

Under this new model, athletes are permitted to play five full seasons in a continuous five-year window. Redshirts and medical waivers are eliminated (with the limited exception of military service, pregnancy, and religious missions). Athletes' eligibility clock begins when they enroll full-time in college or the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

The Babcock and Bayless announcement may open the gates for more high profile seniors to decide if they will take advantage of their newly rewarded fifth year.