Penn State women's volleyball setter Izzy Starck benched herself in 2025 due to mental health reasons. She was officially taken off the roster shortly after her announcement, and decided on entering the Transfer Portal in early December.
Star setter punches the Nittany Lions in the gut with latest update
Not long after, Starck was seen on Pittsburgh's campus. In late December, it was announced that head coach Dan Fisher signed Starck to the Panthers' 2026 roster. Starck was the 2024 AVCA National Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-American. She had 1,483 assists, 342 digs, 112 kills, and 99 blocks as a freshman. Starck was the No. 1 overall recruit from the Class of 2024.
Setter Izzy Starck transfers to Pittsburgh women's volleyball
The Panthers fell to Texas A&M, the eventual national champions, in the Final Four. They were swept by the Aggies in the semifinals largely due to a lack of all-around talent. Pittsburgh relied on right side hitter Olivia Babcock, but couldn't spark enough out of the rest of the team to even take Texas A&M down one set. Babcock had 22 kills, 41 attempts, and just three hitting errors the whole match. She also had three digs and one ace in the match.
Babcock is already a star player, earning the AVCA National Player of the Year award across all women's college volleyball players. This was her second consecutive time earning the award. She was also the ACC Player of the Year, AVCA Rightside Hitter of the Year, AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year, Pittsburgh NCAA Regional MVP, First Team All-ACC selection, and an AVCA First Team All-American for the 2025 season.
Now with Starck added on the court, the Panthers will be a serious force. They made five consecutive National Semifinal appearances since 2021, which was their first time doing so in program history. However, they never found their way to the National Championship match. During Starck's freshman year with the Nittany Lions in 2024, Penn State won the championship, defeating Louisville in four sets. The Cardinals were Pittsburgh's ultimate demise in the semifinals that season.
Starck is one of the best setters in the country, and she's only entering her second season on the court since she didn't play in 2025. Even her brief hiatus doesn't affect how talented and respected she is. If Pittsburgh is vying for a national title, which undoubtedly it is given Babcock enters her senior season in 2026, Starck boosts its chance immensely.