CALDWELL, N.J. – The Post University volleyball team was defeated by Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) North Division rival Caldwell 3-0 on Tuesday night. Junior Brianna Root (Bristol, Conn.) recorded her team-leading seventh double-double of the season with 30 assists and 14 digs.
 
Eight aces by the Cougars led to the Eagles' downfall in the first set. Three early kills by freshman Ashley Levatino (Holtsville, N.Y.) helped Post build a 6-4 lead. Caldwell answered with a 7-1 run followed by 11 straight points, five off aces from Gabrielle Bennett, to take control 22-8. Down to set point, the Eagles battled back with six straight points before falling 25-15.
 
The teams alternated runs to start the second, but the Cougars scored six straight to jump in front 14-7. Sophomore Ann Marie Nelson (Draper, Utah) had two kills and a block as part of a 5-0 Eagles' run to get Post back in the set. They would never pull closer than two point on the way to a 25-18 defeat.
 
Post looked to keep the match going in the third set. Neither team could take advantage as the margin was never more the two for either side the entire set. Down 19-18, a kill by junior Sarah Seger (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and two Caldwell errors put Post in front 21-19 and forced a Cougar timeout.
 
Caldwell scored the next two points to tie and Seger and junior Madison Hunziker (Sacramento, Calif.) answered back with kills as the Eagles led 23-21. The Cougars tied the set once more before Hunziker put the Eagles within a point of victory with her eighth kill of the night. Caldwell scored the final three points to take the match with a 26-24 victory in the set.
 
Seger led all players with 12 kills to go with six digs. Hunziker and Levatino each added eight kills. Junior Sarah Ryder (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) had 13 digs.
 
Post looks to get back on track Friday night at Concordia. Game time is set for 6 p.m.