After redshirting as a freshman, Regan Pittman is a welcomed addition to the Gophers lineup this season. 

“[She’s] just really steady, really consistent and [contributes] lots of good offensive production,” said head coach Hugh McCutcheon. “I think there’s a lot of things that she’s done well, but just overall, I like the way she competes. She steps on the floor, and she plays to win every time, and it’s great to see that. The energy she provides is really important for us.” 

Pittman has produced her fair share of offense this year for Minnesota. 

She is currently third on the Gophers with 113 kills. She is also tied with Molly Lohman for first on the team in solo blocks with 10 and is third on the team with 39 total blocks. When thinking about why she has been so successful, Pittman gives a lot of credit to her teammates.

“It’s really awesome to have such good teammates who can really move the ball around,” Pittman said. “It also helps when you have other good players that the other team focuses on, so you get your opportunities to have your kills.” 

Pittman is glad to have redshirted in her first year at the University of Minnesota. She said that having time to focus on adjusting to college life and a college sport has really made a difference for her. 

“I really learned a lot from the team about being a good teammate, how Minnesota’s systems work, and the dedication that it takes to be a Minnesota volleyball player,” Pittman said. “It definitely helped with academics and being on my own too.”

The redshirt freshman has had a rewarding start to her career, both on the court and in the classroom, where she earned a place on the academic honor roll. If she continues to work hard, more positive results should be in her future. 

“In terms of her ceiling, I don’t know,” McCutcheon said. “I think she could be really good. I think her best has yet to come. She’s a freshman, so [we’ve] got a while to figure that out.”