LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior right-side hitter Mariana Brambilla, senior setter Matti McKissock and freshman outside hitter Bianca Bertolino were each named to the All-Region Team of the Louisville Regional within the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, as voted on by media on Sunday. No. 8 seed Georgia Tech (26-6, 14-4 ACC) swept No. 9 seed Ohio State (27-6, 15-5 B1G) in the Sweet 16 before a valiant effort against undefeated, No. 1 seed Louisville (32-0, 18-0 ACC) concluded the Yellow Jackets’ season in the Elite Eight.
Brambilla had a regional performance for the ages, leading the competing squads by amassing a staggering 45 kills (6.43 per set) at an admirable .311 clip. Not only was the Brazilian bomber’s offensive firepower on display, but the explosive right-side hitter also led the team by racking up 34 digs (4.86 per set) to fuel Tech in both phases for a double double in each of the two contests. Brambilla kicked off the regional on fire, showing up everywhere the Buckeyes looked as she led the match with both 18 kills at a gaudy .444 hitting percentage and 18 digs for her first double double of the weekend. As the stakes rose, the Porto Alegre, Brazil, native didn’t miss a beat. Brambilla put forth arguably her best match in her decorated four-year career donning the White and Gold against the undefeated Cardinals, piling up a career-high 27 kills to lead the match while still contributing defensively with 16 digs, good for second on the team and her 12th double double of the season.
McKissock was just as vital to Tech’s success advancing to the Elite Eight as she assumed her usual role as floor general, cueing up Brambilla and the rest of the Jackets for 84 assists (12 per set) against the Buckeyes and Cardinals. The Windermere, Fla., native also pitched in across the board with 11 digs, five kills and four block assists for a double double. McKissock first orchestrated the Jacket attack on the way to 42 assists as the White and Gold cruised past Ohio State. The esteemed setter followed that with another 42-assist performance against Louisville, also coming away with 10 digs, four kills and three block assists as she earned her fifth double double on the year.
Despite her freshman classification, Bertolino handled the biggest moments of her young Jacket career with her typical, steady presence as she aided the Jackets in both facets by tallying 18 kills and 21 digs across the two matches with a double double. The Argentinian’s first well rounded performance came against the Buckeyes as she totaled eight kills, 11 digs, an assist and a solo block. Bertolino followed that with another balanced stat line as she tallied 10 kills and 10 digs for her 10th double double this season.
Georgia Tech’s historic season concluded at 26-6 overall and 14-4 in ACC play after advancing to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history. The Jackets made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances for the first time since advancing to the Big Dance five consecutive seasons from 2000-04.
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