CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College volleyball team won three close sets against visiting Concordia College, 25-22, 25-18, 26-24 to win a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match Thursday night in the George R. Newman Center. The Cougars, who extended their winning streak to eight, improve to 10-3 overall and 7-0 in the CACC with the sweep. The Clippers are now 3-6, 3-5 CACC.

The first set saw eight ties and six lead changes, with the Clippers holding a late lead, 21-18. A pair of kills by senior outside hitter Cory Roesing (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) and a service ace from sophomore libero Maddy Amon (Louisville, KY/Bishop Moore) sparked a 6-0 run that led to a 25-22 victory. Senior outside hitter Justine Pecora (Clifton, NJ/Mt. St. Dominic Acad.) and junior middle blocker Titilola Alao (Ossining, NY/Ossining) each had four kills in the first set. The Cougars led from start to finish in the second set, with Alao tallying five kills in a 25-18 win.

After trailing early in the third set 5-1, Caldwell reeled off nine straight points to lead 10-5. But the Clippers battled back, tying the score at 20-20, 21-21 and 23-23. A kill by junior setter Lauren Roth (Findlay, OH/Findlay) set up match point, but a service error tied the score again at 24-24. Junior Brittany Denter (Grawn, MI/Kingsley) put down a kill for a 25-24 Caldwell lead, then a Concordia attack error ended the set and the match in Caldwell's favor. The Cougars' .125 hitting percentage was the team's lowest in a CACC match so far this season.

Alao led all players with 11 kills and a .421 hitting percentage, while Pecora had eight kills. Roth, pictured, recorded 25 assists and led the team in digs with 14. Chelsea Zurcher paced Concordia with eight kills in the loss.

The Cougars travel to Philadelphia, Pa., to take on the University of the Sciences in a CACC match on Saturday, Oct. 2. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.

CC - 25 25 26
Con - 22 18 24