DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. -- Junior hitter Natalie Piper (Long Beach, Calif.) had four kills to lead the Cougars attack in a 3-0 loss at Mercy.

Senior setter/hitter Reese Sherwood (Salem, Ore.) had team-bests of five assists and six digs, and soph libero Amber Gallo (Toms River, N.J.) contributed five digs.

In the third set, the Cougars (0-3) trailed, 22-18, but scpored three straight to pull to within one on a paired block by Piper and junior OH Mya Burnett (Newark, N.J.), a kill by Piper and service ace by Gallo. But the host Mavericks (3-0) scored three of the last four points to earn the victory.

The Cougars next open CACC play at Goldey Beacom on Monday in Wilmington, Del.