A gutsy performance throughout a decisive fifth set allowed Pitt-Johnstown to celebrate Senior Day with a much-needed 3-2 victory over Seton Hill in a marathon of a battle on Saturday afternoon in the Sports Center.

The 15-25, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 15-13 decision moved the Mountain Cats to 18-8 (5-7 PSAC West) and kept them in the mix for one of the two final playoff spots up for grabs. A ceremony before the match recognized the program's six seniors: Lualis Alvarado, Adiamar Beaz, Gabriella DeRenzo, Karin Ilagan, Ashley Feorene and Chloe Bidelman.

Alvarado contributed a team-high 17 kills and eight digs. Ellie Zuro had the hottest hand for the Mountain Cats, racking up 16 kills on a .318 hitting percentage. The duo willed the Mountain Cats over the finish line by combining for 10 kills in the final set. 

Beaz racked up staggering match-highs of 50 assists and seven service aces, including one that pushed the lead in the fifth set to 12-9. Caroline Knight and Dannika Susko each posted nine kills.

Four Mountain Cats recorded at least 13 digs led by DeRenzo's match-high 25. Ilagan supplied 16 digs, Beaz provided 14 and redshirt sophomore Jessica Krug tallied 13 more.

Pitt-Johnstown's lead was cut to one at 12-11 before Zuro and Alvarado each had a kill to create a match-point. Up 14-13 coming out of a timeout, Alvarado brought the set to a close with a thunderous kill that gave the Mountain Cats a season split with the Griffins.

After being blitzed in the first set, the Mountain Cats bounced back with a spirited performance in round two. Down 15-12, Beaz slapped three service aces during a 6-0 run that put the Mountain Cats on top 18-15. Three kills from Knight and two more from Beaz helped them tie the match at 1-all.

That positive momentum carried over into the third set when the Mountain Cats bounded out to a 5-0 run aided by two more aces from Beaz. They never trailed despite having their lead cut to 24-22. Alvarado tallied a kill to afford Pitt-Johnstown a 2-1 advantage.

The Mountain Cats have nearly a week off before they host IUP next Friday at 6 p.m. in the Sports Center.