University of Pittsburgh freshman Abbey Emch (20) celebrates with teammates in Pitt’s sweep of Minnesota on Thursday at the NCAA regional tournament in Pittsburgh. (Photo by John Butera)

PITTSBURGH — Top-seeded Pitt advanced to the NCAA volleyball regional final with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-22 sweep of fourth-seeded Minnesota on Thursday night at the Petersen Events Center.

Crestview High School graduate and University of Pitt freshman Abbey Emch had two kills, one ace and one dig in three sets played for the winners.

The Panthers (29-4) controlled the opening set after racing out to a 6-1 lead and closing on an 11-4 run. The second set stayed within two points for most of the frame before Pitt broke a 23-all tie with a Marina Pezelj kill and a block by Blaire Bayless and Emch.

Minnesota (24-10) pushed ahead 21-19 in the third, but Pitt responded with a key scramble that forced an attack error to tie it at 21. The Panthers scored four of the final five points to complete the sweep.

Pitt will host the Purdue-SMU winner in Saturday’s regional final at 7:30 p.m., with a berth in the Final Four at stake.