After finishing their season with a 15-3 record, the Pitt-Johnstown women’s volleyball team went 2-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Tournament, losing in three sets to the Gannon Golden Knights, but that did not end their season.

In the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament, the Lady Cats defeated No.5 California (Pa.) University Vulcans 3-1.

The Lady Cats advanced to face No.1 seeded Wheeling (W. Va) Jesuit University Cardinals, but were defeated 0-3.

According to junior libero Devon Orr, the Lady Cats had more defensive aspects in their game against the Vulcans than they did against the Cardinals.

“I feel like we had more blocks in our game against California,” said Orr.

“Wheeling (Jesuit) is such a strong offensive team that there was only so much we could do to block or dig their hits.”

To prepare for one of the top teams that the Lady Cats would face, they had to recall when the Lady Cats took on the Cardinals earlier in the season and lost 2-3, according to Orr.

“We knew coming into the Wheeling game that they were going to be good,” said Orr.

“We talked about how we played them earlier in the season and went from there,” said Orr.

“We were all excited to play because that was the furthest we have gone in the NCAA tournament.”

When the Lady Cats’ season finally ended, Orr said that her team set goals to advance further in the years to come.

“As a team, we all want to go further each year,” said Orr.

“It is encouraging that each year we get better and hope to do the same for next year.”

Comparing the match against the Vulcans and the Cardinals, junior middle-hitter Kendall Mahony said that nothing changed with the Lady Cats between the two matches.

“I do not think we did anything different; Wheeling-Jesuit is just overall an amazing team,” said Mahony.

“We went in with the mindset that anything is possible, and we truly believed that we could walk out of there with a win; it just was not our day.”

According to Mahony, the Lady Cats’ goals next year have been to win more.

“Obviously our goal is to win regionals next year, but I am extremely proud of how far we came this year,” said Mahony.

“We went further than any Pitt-Johnstown team has ever made it in the NCAA tournament, and that is an accomplishment in itself.”

After finishing up their season; two Lady Cats were named First Team American Volleyball Coaches Association All Region, which includes Orr, and Marissa Erminio.

“It is an honor to be American Volleyball Coaches Association All Region,” said Orr.

“There are talented girls who have been chosen for the name, and it is so cool to be a part of that,” said Orr.

“It is so fun to play the sport I love with some awesome girls and amazing coaches.”

A Lady Cat that also got mention from the American Volleyball Coaches Association was Mahony, who got an Honorable Mention.

“Being named Honorable Mention is pretty exciting, but I can whole heartedly say that it would not have been possible without all of my amazing teammates,” said Mahony.