Alfred, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford volleyball team traveled to Alfred State on Wednesday for a non-conference matchup against the AMCC foe. The Panthers struggled to build momentum against the Pioneers and lost in straight sets.

The Panthers lost the first set 25-14, the second 25-17, and then repeated the opener in the third with a 25-14 loss to end the match.

Pitt-Bradford scored the first two points of the match on a kill and a block from Jenna Louser, but the hosts quickly rallied with 7 straight points. The early 5-point edge would prove to be too much, as the Panthers could not string any scoring rallies together to chip away at the deficit. Louser, Ruby Smith, Ryley Pago, and Hannah Hirata had kills in the set, while Danielle Sasuga added an ace before the set ended 14-25.

The Panthers started the second set positively, jumping out to an early 7-3 lead. Following an early service error, Baylee Fitzsimmons recorded an ace and then Louser blocked an attack to put the Panthers ahead 3-1. The Pioneers quickly tied the set at three, but Louser ended their rally with a kill and then served for 3 straight points. The Panthers could not hold onto momentum, however, and the Pioneers scored the next 6 points to move into the lead. Pitt-Bradford stayed with Alfred State at 11-11 before the hosts went on an 8-2 run to open up a commanding lead. The Panthers cut the lead to 4 at 17-21 after an Alycia Wilson kill, but Alfred State quickly finished the set with 4 in a row.

Set three saw the Pioneers jump out to an early 6-2 lead, which they would not relinquish. The Panthers were able to cut the deficit to two points twice, once with a Louser ace and the second time after a Smith kill, but could not rally to erase the lead. Pitt-Bradford was limited to 6 individual side outs while the Pioneers moved to match point at 24-12. Wilson and Smith prolonged the match with a kill each before Alfred State put the match away at 25-14.

 Ruby Smith led the Panthers with 5 kills. Jenna Louser filled out the stat sheet, recording 4 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs, and 2 solo blocks. Abby King dished out 8 assists. 

The Panthers fall to 3-19 from the loss. They will return home over the weekend, as they will host Carlow in an AMCC matchup The match is slated to begin at 3:00 p.m. in KOA Arena.