PITTSBURGH – Pitt’s junior right side hitter Olivia Babcock was named a 2025 AVCA National Player of the Year finalist, the organization announced this week.

The standout volleyball player is looking to defend her title after becoming Pitt’s first AVCA National Player of the Year last season. With a win, Babcock would become just the fifth player in the award’s history to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons.

The remaining finalists include Mimi Colyer (University of Wisconsin), Eva Hudson (University of Kentucky) and Bergen Reilly (University of Nebraska).

This year she is averaging career highs of 5.11 kills per set and 2.11 digs per set this season. Babcock has also collected a personal-best five Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors and has broken the single-match kills record twice, most recently with 45 kills in one game.

Soccer ticket prices slashed

GENEVA — FIFA slashed the price of some World Cup tickets for teams’ most loyal fans following a global backlash, and some will get $60 seats for the final instead of being asked to pay $4,185.

FIFA said Tuesday that some $60 tickets will be made available for every game at the tournament in North America, going to the national federations whose teams are playing.

Those federations decide how to distribute them to fans who have attended previous games at home and on the road.