CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College volleyball team came close to forcing a fourth game but could not avoid a sweep as the Cougars lost to Post University, 3-0 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match Tuesday night in the George R. Newman Center. Caldwell remains winless in their inaugural season at 0-8 overall and 0-7 in the conference, while the Eagles improve to 4-10, 4-3 CACC.

After losing the first two games 30-22 and 30-15, the Cougars trailed 19-13 in the third game and appeared to be headed for another three-game defeat. But sophomore Ashley Cusack (Belmar, NJ/St. Rose) served Caldwell to six straight points, tying the game at 19-19 and shifting the momentum to the Scarlet, White and Gold. Kills by senior Amy Ransom (Chattanooga, TN/Notre Dame) and junior Phylicia Holmes (Roselle, NJ/Roselle) helped Caldwell take a 25-23 lead. But the Eagles eventually built a 29-27 advantage and served for the match. A sideout made the score 29-28 and gave Cusack another opportunity to serve, but a block attempt on an attack by Post's Haleema Linares fell out of bounds, giving the Eagles the victory.

Ransom finished with eight kills and Phelps had seven to lead the Cougar offense. Sophomore Laura Ciesla (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) recorded 10 assists, and freshman Elizabeth Newcomb (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union) had 12 digs. Linares and Tadj Williams paced the Eagles with 13 and 12 kills apiece, while Gabrielle Hopkins had 28 assists to help Post to a hitting percentage of .301.

Caldwell is back in action on Thursday, Sept. 28, when they host Holy Family University in a CACC match. The first serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.

CC (0) - 22 15 28
PU (3) - 30 30 30