CALDWELL, N.J. - In a close battle between the top two teams in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference North Division, the Caldwell College volleyball team defeated Dominican College, 23-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-18 Thursday evening in the George R. Newman Center. The win completes the season sweep of Dominican for the Cougars, who improve to 13-5 overall and 10-1 in conference play. The Lady Chargers are now 12-13 overall, 9-3 CACC.
In the first set, Dominican held off a late charge that saw the Cougars cut the lead from 24-17 to 24-23 with six straight points. But a Caldwell attack error ended the run and gave the Lady Chargers a 25-23 win. The Cougars held a late lead in the second set before Dominican pulled to within 24-23, holding off two set points. Sophomore right side Amber Mosher (Flanders, NJ/Mount Olive) finished off the win with a kill to tie the match at 1-1. Mosher ended up with six kills in the second set.
As in the second set, the Cougars appeared to have the third set under control following kills by senior outside hitters Justine Pecora (Clifton, NJ/Mt. St. Dominic Acad.) and Cory Roesing (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) that made the score 24-21. Again the Lady Chargers fought off three set points to tie the set at 24-24. After the teams exchanged points, a Dominican service error was followed by a kill from junior middle blocker Titilola Alao (Ossining, NY/Ossining) that put Caldwell on top two sets to one.
Dominican seemed poised to force a fifth set, building a 15-12 advantage in the fourth set. But the Cougars responded with 11 consecutive points to take control of the set with a 23-15 lead. The run included three service aces from sophomore libero Maddy Amon (Louisville, KY/Bishop Moore) and two kills by Mosher. The Lady Chargers halted the run and scored three straight points, but a service error set up match point for Caldwell. Freshman defensive specialist Tiffany Grupp (St. Louis, MI/St. Louis) ended the match with an ace, giving Caldwell the victory.
Mosher, pictured, registered a team-best 16 kills and had two blocks to pace Caldwell. Roesing finished with 11 kills and 16 digs, while junior setter Lauren Roth (Findlay, OH/Findlay) recorded 40 assists and 10 digs. Amon sparked the Cougar defense with 24 digs and had four aces. Dominican's Michelle Fiorvanti led all players with 17 kills.
Caldwell returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 16, when the Cougars host Philadelphia University, which is tied for first in the CACC South. The first serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.
CC - 23 25 27 25
DC - 25 23 25 18
