Pitt-Johnstown drew within two points of notching a victory, but it wasn't meant to be as the Mountain Cats fell in heartbreaking fashion in five sets at Indiana (PA) on Saturday afternoon.

Lualis Alvarado pounded out a match-high 17 kills for the Mountain Cats, who dropped to 10-4 (1-2 PSAC). Natalie Lippincott added 12 kills and Brooke Pelloni finished with nine kills and two blocks.

In a fifth set where neither team gained a lead larger than two, Pitt-Johnstown rallied back to tie it at 7-all on a kill by Alvarado. After going down 9-7, the Mountain Cats went on a 4-0 spurt capped by a kill from Lippincott to take an 11-9 advantage.

Alvarado's kill with the set tied at 12-all gave Pitt-Johnstown a brief 13-12 lead before the Crimson Hawks struck for three straight points finished off by Nyla Birch's game-winning kill.

Adiamar Beaz posted a game-high 41 assists and provided 14 digs. Gabi DeRenzo notched a match-high 33 digs.

After IUP scratched within two in the opening set at 19-17, Pitt-Johnstown strung together a 6-1 rally that included a pair of kills from Pelloni and two attack errors committed by IUP.

Despite dropping the second and third sets, the Mountain Cats bounced back with a spirited fourth set victory that was close in the race to 16-all.

Pitt-Johnstown erupted for a 7-0 run powered by two kills from Alvarado and three perfectly placed aces by Jessica Krug, who finished with a match-high four, to take a commanding 23-16 lead.

Beaz ended the set with a kill from her setter position thanks to an assist from Krug.

The Mountain Cats visit Point Park University for a non-conference match on Tuesday at 7 p.m.