Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute dropped a five-set decision to Dallas College Brookhaven in the opening round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Tournament Thursday.

The tenth-seeded Bears won set one 25-18. Seventh-seeded Caldwell built an early lead in set two and held off a rally by Brookhaven to win 25-23. The Bears dominated the third set 25-12. The Cobras earned a 26-24 victory in set four to force a winner-take-all fifth set. Brookhaven took control of the set early, going on to win 15-10.

Brookhaven (14-15) advances to Thursday’s 5:30PM quarterfinals against No. 2-seeded Owens Community College (18-10). Caldwell (21-6) moved to the consolation bracket and will face Raritan Valley Community College at 10AM on Friday.

Caldwell’s Greenleigh Gleason pounded 25 kills and hit .286. Laney Craig had 20 kills, Josie Chappell 27 assists and 24 digs, and Emma Grace Hiatt 18 assists, 12 digs and five blocks.

Caroline Simpson led Brookhaven with 17 kills and 23 digs, Laila Beck had 16 kills and four blocks, and Madison Beasley 14 kills, 16 digs and four blocks. Jordan Bruscato had 50 assists, 16 digs, five aces and a block.