LAKEWOOD, N.J. – The Caldwell University volleyball team's bid for a third Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship came up short, as the Cougars lost to Post University in the CACC finals Saturday afternoon at the GCU Wellness Center. Caldwell ends its season at 22-11, while the Eagles (22-10) earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament.

The first two sets were close throughout, with Post winning both, 25-22 and 25-23 behind Skylar German's 10 kills. In the third set, senior right side Erica Harrell (Richardson, TX/Plano East) and sophomore outside hitter Rachael DiLeonardo (West Chester, OH/Mount Notre Dame) tallied four kills apiece to lead Caldwell to a 25-19 win. The Cougars maintained momentum in the fourth set, taking a 14-10 lead. But the Eagles reeled off six straight points to pull ahead, 16-14. Caldwell never came closer than two points the rest of the way, as Post won its first CACC volleyball championship in the program's history.

Senior setter Athena Nestoras (Los Angeles, CA/St. Monica) recorded her second consecutive triple-double with 13 kills, 22 assists and 17 digs to lead the Cougars. DiLeonardo registered 12 kills and 21 digs, while Harrell and freshman middle blocker Narae Wadsworth (Reno, NV/Wooster) each tallied 10 kills. Wadsworth also had a career-high seven total blocks. Freshman setter Gabrielle Bennett (San Antonio, TX/Johnson) delivered 21 assists with 10 digs, and senior libero Jaclyn Del Cid (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) led all players with 29 digs. Del Cid and Nestoras were both named to the all-tournament team.

The match also marked the final competition for seniors Del Cid, Harrell and Nestoras, who were members of the 2011 team that won the CACC Tournament.

CU – 22 23 25 23
PU – 25 25 19 25

2014 CACC Volleyball Tournament
Quarterfinals – Tuesday, Nov. 11
N1 Caldwell 3, S4 Holy Family 1
S2 Wilmington 3, N3 Dominican 0
S1 Georgian Court 3, N4 Bloomfield 2
N2 Post 3, S3 Philadelphia 0

Semifinals – Friday, Nov. 14 (Georgian Court, Lakewood, N.J.)
N2 Post 3, S1 Georgian Court 0
N1 Caldwell 3, S2 Wilmington 1

Finals – Saturday, Nov. 15 (Georgian Court, Lakewood, N.J.)
N2 Post 3, N1 Caldwell 1