BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford women's volleyball team took an early 2-1 lead, but ultimately fell 3-2 to Medaille College in a heartbreaker at the KOA Arena on Wednesday night. 

"Unfortunately, for as hard as we played, we made too many mistakes at crucial times. There's is absolutely no questioning the effort and heart we played with tonight .We did so many things right.  But the bottom line is, we were playing an experienced team and in the end we just didn't get the job done," said Panther's head coach Tom Roof. "It's disappointing because it's another five-set loss and puts us in a tough position to make the playoffs."

Mandy Finch led the Panthers with 11 kills and 22 digs while Kirsten Platz turned in 10 kills, six digs and three blocks. Kaitlin McCann finished with a team-high four blocks and added six kills. Alma Turpin chipped in with five kills and Alexis Dhayer finished with six kills. Christina Rauh had another solid game for the Panthers, racking up 49 assists, 23 digs and two service aces in the loss.

"We had a lot working for us tonight. Our setter Christina Rauh, as usual, was tremendous and was really in sync with our middle hitters tonight," Roof said. "Kirsten Platz was sensational. As a freshman, in what was a huge pressure-filled conference game, she took control of the net. They had no answer for her."

Pitt-Bradford dominated the opening set, lost a tough one in the second, and then won a wild 34-32 third set. Medaille took the momentum back in the fourth set with a 25-16 win and then capped the victory with a 15-10 win in the final set.

"We hit well. Mandy Finch, Alexis Dhayer gave us plenty of offense on the outside and right side. Like I said, I loved our effort and loved our focus," Roof said. "Unfortunately, that's not always enough. We still have a chance, though, and if we make it, I love our chances."

The Panthers' playoffs hopes are still alive, but Saturday's game at LaRoche is now a must-win. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.