SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University volleyball team struggled to create momentum Friday in a straight-set loss to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division leader, Pitt-Johnstown, 3-0 (9-25, 22-25, 16-25) inside Heiges Field House.
              
The loss ends a six-match winning streak for Shippensburg (21-8, 10-6 PSAC), which sits second behind the Mountain Cats (23-3, 14-1) in the PSAC East.
 
A slow start hurt the Raiders in set one as SU struggled to connect on passes, but the second set looked much more like the expected show between the top two divisional teams. Twice SU made impressive runs to tie the second set.
 
The Raiders scored four straight points after trailing 17-13 and then scored three straight points to tie the set again after falling behind 20-17. However, the Mountain Cats were able to pull away with four of the last five points before taking the third set.
 
SU was led by junior Annie Goerl, who had nine kills, coming up just short of a double-double as she recorded 13 digs. Senior Taylor Gottshall converted five of her 14 total attacks into kills. Gottshall also had four block assists.
 
Senior Faith Athey and freshman Morgan DeFloria each had four kills.
 
Junior Maura Nolan had all 23 Raider assists and led SU with 14 digs.
 
The Raiders go right back to work Saturday with a home match against Lock Haven, beginning at 1 p.m.