Crestview High School graduate and University of Pitt freshman Abbey Emch (20) rejoices after the Panthers qualified for the national semifinals of the NCAA Div. I volleyball tournament on Saturday in Pittsburgh. (Photo by John Butera)

PITTSBURGH — Top-seeded Pitt advanced to its fifth consecutive NCAA national semifinal with a 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17 victory over third-seeded Purdue on Saturday night at the Petersen Events Center.

Olivia Babcock paced the No. 4 Panthers (30-4) with 23 kills while adding four digs and two blocks, earning Pittsburgh Regional Most Outstanding Player honors. With the win, Pitt became the first program to reach five straight national semifinals since Texas from 2012-16.

Crestview High School graduate and Pitt freshman Abbey Emch had two kills, two assists and three digs in four sets.

The Panthers will meet No. 6 Texas A&M on Thursday in the semifinal at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The Aggies scored a five-set upset win over No. 1 Nebraska on Saturday.

The opening set was tightly contested before Pitt seized control late. Trailing 19-18, the Panthers regrouped out of a timeout as Mallorie Meyer delivered a service ace and Pitt followed with consecutive kills to swing momentum. Purdue used its final timeout after another Babcock termination made it 23-20, but Marina Pezelj closed the set and Babcock finished it with her ninth kill for a 25-22 advantage.

Pitt carried that momentum into the second set, building a 13-9 lead before Purdue responded with a 5-0 run to briefly regain control. The Panthers answered with steady offense and defensive pressure, forcing the Boilermakers to burn two timeouts while Pitt maintained a four-point edge. A kill by freshman Abbey Emch and a Purdue hitting error sealed the 25-21 win and a 2-0 match lead.

Purdue refused to fold, jumping ahead early in the third set and holding off repeated Pitt rallies. The Panthers pulled within one at 17-16, but the Boilermakers closed strong to take the set, 25-22, and extend the match.

Pitt responded decisively in the fourth. Behind tough serving from Brooke Mosher and Pezelj, the Panthers opened a 9-5 lead and never relinquished control. Bre Kelley and Babcock combined for key kills as Pitt stretched the margin, and the Panthers closed out the set 25-17 to clinch the match.