Natalie Lippincott and Abi Leitner led Pitt-Johnstown with seven kills apiece, but the Mountain Cats could not overcome Gannon in a 11-25, 19-25, 16-25 loss on Saturday in Erie.

Pitt-Johnstown fell to 6-8 overall and 0-2 in PSAC West play.

After the Mountain Cats clawed back within three at 10-7, Gannon rattled off four straight points to go up 14-7. The Golden Knights scored six of the next nine points to take a commanding 20-10 lead to eventually win the set.

Pitt-Johnstown dug itself a hole early on in the second set after going down 10-4 thanks to three consecutive kills by Gannon's Madde Blake, who racked up a match-high 14 kills. From there, the Mountain Cats battled back to within five at 20-15, but behind four kills from Sam Deinek, the Golden Knights grabbed a two-set-to-none advantage.

A kill by Gomez helped the Mountain Cats snatch a 7-5 lead early on in the third set. But the Golden Knights responded with an 8-0 spurt to forge ahead 13-7. Gannon did not relinquish its lead from there, staying ahead by at least five points for the rest of the set to secure the sweep.

Deinek totaled 12 kills for the Golden Knights, who improved to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Blake added five digs and two service aces. Bengisu Arslan dished out a match-high 34 assists. Emma Hall had 16 digs, while Arslan added 10 digs. Makenna Gavin provided eight kills.

Elizah Wilson had six kills for the Mountain Cats. Adiamar Beaz had a team-high 16 assists and 15 digs, while Gabi DeRenzo added seven digs. Mallory Pinske had two blocks.

Pitt-Johnstown hosts Seton Hill on Friday at 7 p.m. and entertains Slippery Rock on Saturday at 2 p.m.