LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Despite a thrilling comeback in the fourth set, the Caldwell College volleyball team was eliminated from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament with a 3-1 loss to Philadelphia University, 21-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-23 Friday night at the Georgian Court University Wellness Center. The loss ends the 2008 season for the Cougars, who went 18-11 and won the CACC North Division in their third year of existence after compiling a record of 4-41 over their first two seasons. Philadelphia improves to 21-12 and advances to Saturday's final against Georgian Court.

The Cougars controlled the first set throughout, tallying 12 kills while holding the Rams to a hitting percentage of .028. But Philadelphia, which placed third in the CACC South Division during the regular season, held the upper hand in the second and third sets, totaling 26 kills while hitting .206 and .222 in the second and third sets, respectively. The fourth set went back and forth until a late surge by the Rams put Philadelphia ahead 23-16. On the verge of elimination, the Cougars mounted a comeback and scored the next seven points to tie the set at 23-23. The final point of the run was scored on a marathon rally that ended with a Philadelphia hitting error. But the Cougars could not hold the momentum, as the Rams scored the final two points to take the set and the match.

Sophomore middle blocker Keesha Francois (Elkins Park, PA/Cheltenham) led the Cougars with 11 kills and a .235 hitting percentage. She also had three total blocks, included two solo blocks. Freshman right side Amber Mosher (Flanders, NJ/Mount Olive) tallied seven kills and 11 digs, with sophomore libero Kathleen Estes (Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst) and senior outside hitter Laura Ciesla (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) recorded 22 and 18 digs, respectively. The loss marked the final match for Ciesla and fellow senior Ashley Cusack (Long Branch, NJ/St. Rose), who have been with the program since its inception in 2006. Molly Malone had 11 kills and Katie Miller had 10 for Philadelphia, which registered 99 digs as a team on defense.

The Cougars, coached by CACC Coach of the Year Megan Hrbek, went 13-4 in conference play to capture the CACC North this season. They return 12 of 14 players next season.

CC - 25 16 18 23
PU - 21 25 25 25