BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute women's volleyball team fell to neighborhood rivals St. Joseph's University, Brooklyn in straight sets Monday, dropping a 25-12, 25-15, 25-13 decision at The Hill Center.

Pratt (1-3) fell behind in each of the first two sets, unable to overcome a 13-point hole in the opener despite a pair of solo blocks from Colleen Russell (Asbury, N.J.), and a 12-point deficit in the second that the Cannoneers narrowed to eight points behind Emma Hwang's (Dallas, Texas) .300 hitting and back-to-back kills from Kelsy Padilla (Brooklyn, N.Y.). St. Joseph's (2-3) took both sets, 25-12 and 25-15.

The Cannoneers best chance came in the third. Trailing 8-2, the Cannoneers used service aces from Kathryn Quintiliano (Manassas, Va.) and Eleanor Peck (Andover, Mass.), along with another Russell block, to twice pull within a single point, at 9-8 and 11-10. The Bears answered with a closing run to finish off the set and complete the sweep, 25-13.

Padilla led Pratt with five kills and five digs. Russell finished with four kills and two solo blocks, and Hwang added four kills to go with five assists. Zoe Broerman (Cincinnati, Ohio) paced the back row with four digs.

Pratt finished with 17 kills to St. Joseph's 24. St. Joseph's serving attack produced 25 aces on the night, a category that shaped much of the match.

Carissa Zwiefelhofer led the Bears with eight kills and seven aces, and Abigail Encinia ran the St. Joseph's offense with 12 assists.

Pratt returns to action on its home floor against the University of Mount Saint Vincent on Thursday, Sept. 17. First serve at the Pratt ARC is 7 p.m.