Pitt-Johnstown used a match-high 20 kills from Ellie Zuro Cirino and 10 kills from Caroline Knight to defeat Charleston (WV) in three sets to kick-off the Indiana (PA) Invitational, Friday afternoon at the Kovalchick Complex in Indiana.
 
The Mountain Cats, now 6-2 on the year, jumped out to a 2-set advantage with 25-9 and 28-26 wins to begin the match.  The Golden Eagles answered with a 25-17 win in the third set, but Pitt-Johnstown put the match away with a 25-19  in the fourth set.
 
Zuro Cirino hit .320 and had seven digs and an assist to go along with her 20 kills, while Knight tallied 10 kills, nine digs, and a team-best three service aces.  The Mountain Cats also got eight kills, four digs, an ace and a block from Natalie Lippincott.
 
Abby Berry paced all players with 42 set assists while adding nine digs and Jessica Krug had a match-best 23 digs, a pair of assists, and two aces for Pitt-Johnstown.  Avery Koontz collected 11 digs.
 
Charleston, which slipped to 5-4 on the season, got 11 kills apiece from Patrycia Majos and Kate Strong, and nine kills and a dozen digs from Divine Mua.
 
The Mountain Cats will take on Shepherd (WV) Friday evening at the IUP Invitational, then close out the tournament against Chestnut Hill and Elizabeth City State (NC) on Saturday.  Pitt-Johnstown will then begin PSAC West-play against IUP, Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Sports Center.