CALDWELL, N.J. -- Senior setter/hitter Reese Sherwood (Salem, Ore.) had team-bests of 10 kills, 15 assists and nine digs, and sophomore OH Wyette Schubert-Brown contribued eight kills as Caldwell fell in a thrilling opening match at the Newman Center, 3-2, to Kutztown (1-0).

The Cougars rallied to win the opening set, 25-23, taking the last four points, including a block by Sherwood to close out the set. After the Golden Bears won the second set, 25-17, the Cougars rushed to a seven-point third set lead, holding off a late surge for the 25-20 win paced by two kills down the stretch by senior hitter Amanda Schiltz (Durham, N.C.) and one by junior hitter Alexa McEwan (Beachwood, N.J.) and a pair of KU errors.

Kutztown won a tight fourth set, 25-22, with three of the last four points, setting up the fifth-set showdown. The Cougars got off to a fast start, winning three straight points to take a 3-1 lead, but a run of eight of nine put the Golden Bears ahead to stay, 9-4. KU would extend to 14-7 and hold seven match points, but the Cougars wouldn't go away. Four straight CU tallies, including kills by Sherwood and senior hitter Gabriella Maffei (Oak Ridge, N.J.) pulled the hosts to within three, but a KU kill closed out the match, spoiling the Caldwell coaching debut of Sttefany Oliveira.

Caldwell is back in action on Tuesday at the Newman Center when they host Queens College at 6 p.m.