Box Score KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Caldwell College volleyball team started the 2013 campaign with an exciting five-set victory over the host Golden Bears at the Kutztown University Tournament Friday night. The Cougars, who were 20-14 in 2012, open the year 1-0, while Kutztown falls to 1-1.

After spotting the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead, Caldwell came back strong in the second set to win 25-15 behind five kills from freshman Taylor Zaeske (S. Milwaukee, WI/S. Milwaukee) and four from junior Athena Nestoras (Los Angeles, CA/St. Monica Catholic). Kutztown captured a close third set by scoring the final three points to win 25-23 and take a 2-1 lead. But seven kills from Nestoras without an error helped the Cougars cruise to a 25-13 triumph in the fourth set, forcing a fifth set.

Neither team led by more than three points in the decisive set. With the score tied at 14-14, Nestoras and senior Kasey Bausch (Bellmore, NY/Holy Trinity) tallied back-to-back kills to clinch the victory for Caldwell.

Nestoras led all players with a career-high 18 kills to go with 15 digs, while Zaeske had 15 kills and eight digs. Fellow freshman Taylor Kovach (Oregon, OH/Clay) added nine kills and four blocks, while senior setter Lisa Roth (Gilbert, AZ/Williams Field) dished out 33 assists. Defensively, junior libero Jaclyn Del Cid (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) recorded 19 digs. Audrey Stringer paced Kutztown with 15 kills.

The Cougars continue play at the Kutztown Tournament on Saturday with matches against Davis & Elkins at 12:30 p.m. and West Chester University at 2:30 p.m.

CC (3) – 14 25 23 25 16
KU (2) – 25 15 25 13 14