Pitt-Johnstown dropped three consecutive sets by the narrowest of margins in a 3-1 loss, 25-21, 24-26, 23-25, 24-26, to Clarion on Friday night at the Sports Center.

The Mountain Cats fell to 12-6 (3-3 PSAC) despite receiving a match-high 20 kills from Ellie Zuro Cirino, who has risen to No. 1 in the PSAC in total kills with 270.

Caroline Knight also had a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs. Abby Berry had a match-high 41 assists and added 13 digs, while Jessica Krug totaled a match-high 36 digs. 

Pitt-Johnstown began the match with a well-executed opening set win that was led by Zuro and her six kills. Knight also contributed five kills in what was a largely back-and-forth frame until Zuro gave the Mountain Cats a 23-20 lead with a kill. They secured the set on two errors from the Golden Eagles.

The Mountain Cats were in a 23-21 hole in the second set before rallying with Dannika Susko providing one of her six kills to knot it at 24-all. But Clarion took the set with back-to-back points to even the match.

Another heartbreaking loss occurred in the third set despite barreling back from a 24-20 deficit with three straight points to cut it to one, the final being a service ace from Abby Berry.

Pitt-Johnstown got down 21-16 in the fourth set before ripping off six straight points that were bookended by kills from Zuro. Clarion scored the next three points before two of its mistakes allowed the Mountain Cats to tie it again at 24-all. Two attack errors brought an end to the match.

Pitt-Johnstown will host Slippery Rock at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Sports Center.