Pitt-Johnstown pulled out a win in a marathon of an opening set before carrying that momentum all the way to a 3-0 sweep over Shippensburg in a PSAC crossover matchup on Tuesday evening at the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats improved to 16-6 overall (3-5 PSAC West) by way of 29-27, 25-20, 25-13 margin that was fueled by a .279 team hitting percentage and a match-high 12 kills from Lualis Alvarado. The Raiders dropped to 12-11 overall (6-2 PSAC East).

Mallory Pinske slapped nine kills on just 16 attempts for a team-best .563 hitting percentage. Natalie Lippincott added eight kills, and Ellie Zuro supplied seven kills. Adiamar Beaz passed out a match-high 36 assists and racked up 13 digs and four blocks.

The Mountain Cats clawed their way back from multiple deficits in the first set, beginning with a 10-4 hole. They rattled off nine of the next 12 points to tie it at 13-all before.

Later in the set down 22-20, Pitt-Johnstown scored four of the next five points with the help of a kill apiece from Pinske and Zuro to force a match-point. Despite eventually falling behind 27-26, the Mountain Cats received back-to-back kills from Lippincott and Pinske before Gabriella DeRenzo brought the extended set to an end with a service ace.

In addition to that match-altering ace, DeRenzo compiled a match-high 14 digs. Karin Illagan also contributed 13 digs. Dannika Susko tallied a match-high five blocks.

The second set was tied 7-7 before Pitt-Johnstown seized control with a 7-0 run capped by back-to-back kills from Zuro. The lead was eventually whittled down to two before a 4-0 spurt squashed the Raiders' rally. Leading 9-6, two consecutive kills from Pinske ignited a 12-2 run that gave the Mountain Cats a comfortable 21-8 cushion. 

Pitt-Johnstown will visit PSAC West leader Gannon on Friday for a 7 p.m. match.