Pitt’s Olivia Babcock wins another national honor, capturing Honda Sport Award for 2nd straight year

Justin Guerriero TribLive Wed, Jan 21, 2026 • 02:49 PM

Pitt junior Olivia Babcock was named national player of the year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. (Courtesy of Pitt Athletics)

Pitt volleyball right-side hitter Olivia Babcock will need to make a bit more room in her already overflowing trophy case, as Wednesday she was announced as the Honda Sport Award winner for the second straight year.

Issued by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA), the Honda Sport Award recognizes the top female athlete in their sport. Babcock is only the fifth volleyball player in CWSA history to win the honor twice.

She will officially be presented with the award July 27 in New York City, with the ceremony to air on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m.

Babcock’s CWSA award follows her junior campaign with the Panthers that saw her win AVCA National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year (all also for the second straight year).

For three years running, Babcock has also been named a AVCA First-Team All-American, as well as earning Pittsburgh Regional Most Outstanding Player honors.

Babcock helped Pitt to a 30-5 (18-2 ACC) record last season, as the Panthers advanced to the NCAA Tournament Final Four for the fifth straight year, only to lose to eventual champion Texas A&M in a sweep.