The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford found itself down two games to none at last fall’s Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference volleyball championship match against Penn State Behrend.
The Panthers, however — playing on Behrend’s home court — stormed back to secure the third AMCC title in program history.
Helping the team to the come-from-behind victory was former Smethport four-sport athlete Kate
Treat, who now calls Pitt-Bradford home. In the AMCC title game, Treat had eight kills, five service points, and three digs to lead the Panthers into the NCAA Tournament.
She began playing volleyball in middle school, but unlike many other collegiate volleyball players, she did not play club or travel volleyball. Instead, Treat focused on the other three sports she played for the Hubbers: basketball, cross country, and track and field.
“Playing all of these sports helped me get better at all of them.” Treat said. “It also allowed me to never get tired of a particular sport. Once one season ended, I was ready for the next one to begin.”
While Treat was recruited by a few schools, she chose Pitt Bradford because of its proximity to home and its excellent academic reputation.
“Thiel and Pitt Bradford were the two schools I considered most for volleyball,” she recalled. “Pitt-Bradford allowed me the opportunity to study biology and obtain a great degree while staying much closer to home. It was not an opportunity I could pass up.”
Since enrolling at UPB in 2017, Treat has been nothing short of excellent both on the court and in the classroom. This past season, she was named the AMCC Player of the Week on October 29 and was also named to the All-AMCC Third Team.
In her two seasons, she has played in 60 matches for the Panthers. She has racked up 304 kills, 101 digs, and recorded 401.5 points for her career.
With two more college years remaining, Treat is eager to continue improving upon both UPB and her personal successes.
“Our coaches have been making sure all of us are putting in the necessary work to repeat as conference champs,” she said. “We need to just work as hard as possible in order to reach this goal again. We should have a great team again this season, but nothing is guaranteed. I am thankful to be working alongside my sister Emily who is also on the team in order for each of us to get better heading into this fall.”
Katie spoke more about the bond she shares with her younger sister Emily and what it means to play with her again in the sport they love.
“We play different positions and it allows us to get better by practicing and working out with each other,” Katie Treat said. “We share a very close bond, and I am so grateful to have her as my teammate again.”
Outside of the bond she shares with her sister, Katie’s parents Susan and Edward have been the biggest supporters of both of their daughters in their high school and college.
“They make it to every match and game possible and have done so for years,” she said. “To have them care for me so much means the world. They have always shown so much support and belief in me in all of the sports I was involved in, and this support has helped me succeed as an athlete.”
Katie also spoke highly of former Ridgway Elkers Tom Roof and Jeff Kuleck who serve as her college coaches at UPB.
“Both Roof and Kuleck have pushed me to be a better player, but also a much better leader,” Treat said. “While these leadership qualities are important in volleyball, they will also help me in life. Each of them know how to get the best in all of the girls on our team, and their support and coaching has been crucial to our success.”
Outside of her involvement in volleyball, Treat is a member of the Tri Beta Biology Honors Society and has helped with many events for the club including Charles Darwin Day. She hopes to work in the healthcare field and become a Physician’s Assistant. After her college career concludes, Treat hopes to take a small step back from the game and enjoy playing recreationally.
