WEST CHESTER, Pa. -- Junior setter
Grace Moliterno (Chester, N.Y.) had 10 assists and junior libero
Stephanie Ramos (Jackson, N.J.) had a match-high 12 digs as Caldwell University volleyball fell, 3-0, in its season opener at the West Chester University Tournament at Hollinger Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon.
In the first set, the Cougars (0-1) hung tough early, trailing just 8-7, before a run of six of seven points put the hosts (1-0) up, 14-8.Â
Caldwell continued to battle, closing to within 16-13 before four straight points gave WCU a decisive lead, and the Golden Rams went on to a 25-18 set win.
CU took an early lead in the second, a pair of kills by freshman
Sarah Ojo (Richmond, Texas) and double block by freshman
Si'ena King (Orlando, Fla.) and soph
Meredith Gatz (Millis, Mass.) keying a 7-4 Cougar edge.
CU still led, 13-11, after a King and freshman
Jasmine Johnson (Rahway, N.J.) block and King service ace kept the Cougars up. But, later, a 7-0 WCU run made it 21-15 in favor of the Golden Rams and they continued to a 25-17 triumph.
A 6-1 run featuring a kill by Ojo and block by Ojo and Gatz put the Cougars ahead to begin the third, but after the teams traded the lead a few times, WCU went ahead for good and cruised to the 25-13 victory to close out the match.
Ojo and soph
Marley Rudolph (Hampstead, Md.) co-led the Cougars with four kills apiece. King added two kills, three blocks and four digs in her debut.
Caldwell continues play at the tournament on Saturday, taking on Millersville at 1 p.m. and Lincoln at 3.
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