its quest for the 2023 NJCAA Division II National Championship come to an end Thursday night, falling in three straight sets to No. 12 seed Pensacola State. 

The Pirates opened with a 25-20 win in the first set and followed with win of 25-14 and 25-22. It marked the first time this season the Lady Cavaliers lost in three sets.

Freshman right side hitter Kennedy Smalley led the team in both kills and digs with nine and 16 respectively.

Sophomore libero Emily Silvers also finished in double figures in digs with 13, and sophomore Sydney Fiatte was the top setter with 19 assists.

Johnson County fall into the consolation bracket and will face No. 14 seed Wallace State Friday morning at 11 a.m. CST.