Pitt-Johnstown gave nationally ranked Gannon all it could handle Thursday night at the Sports before suffering a 3-0 setback (23-25, 19-25, 14-25)

The Mountain Cats dropped to 13-8 (4-5 PSAC). The Golden Knights, who sit atop the PSAC Western Division, moved to 18-5 (9-0 PSAC).

Senior outside hitter Caroline Knight led all players with 14 kills. Ellie Zuro Cirino added six kills and nine digs, while Natalie Lippincott chipped in five kills

Abby Berry dished out 31 assists to keep Pitt-Johnstown's offense on schedule through the first two sets.

Pitt-Johnstown nearly pulled off a late comeback in the opening set. Down 21-18, Knight led the charge with two kills during a 4-0 spurt that put the Mountain Cats in front 22-21. Gannon rallied for three straight points before Lippincott detonated on a ball to cut it 24-23, but a service error ended it.

The Mountain Cats kept up that fight throughout the second frame, showing flashes of offensive rhythm and timely defense, most notably from Jessica Krug, who notched a match-high 18 digs. But they found themselves in a seven-point hole on five different occasions that proved too much to overcome.  

Berry recorded one of her match-high three aces to begin the third set, but it was the only time the Mountain Cats held a lead. Gannon found some momentum on offense late, scoring the last six points to close out the match.

The Mountain Cats host Edinboro at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Sports Center.