The Briar Cliff volleyball pushed the #18 College of Saint Mary Flames to four sets Friday night but fell 1-3 in the Newman Flanagan Center. The Chargers were led by freshman Alexis Johnson who put down double-digit kills for the fifth time this season.
 
"Our block was really on tonight, we probably had close to the same number of blocks get dug up by CSM, as they were very scrappy behind their hitters," said head coach Lindsey Weatherford. "Sami had a great night at the net, her fast attack and ability to penetrate over the net to block balls really helped us tonight."
 
After dropping the first set, the Chargers bounced back with a 25-21 win in set two. BC gained a 15-13 lead after Tannah Heath held serve for six straight points. The run was fueled by three kills and a block from Chloe Johnson and two blocks and a kill from Sami Wasmund. With the score tied at 21-21, the Chargers rallied off four straight points to take set two.
 
BC hit .176 in the second set, compared to .085 from the Flames. Chloe Johnson totaled six kills, while Alexis Johnson had four.
 
"Our defense really came on strong in set two, and our backrow players were in the right spot and dug up a lot of balls," noted Weatherford.
 
The Chargers held an early lead in set three, but CSM pulled ahead after a 6-0 run. BC stayed within four points throughout the first half of the set, cutting the lead to 12-14 after a Chloe Johnson kill. The Flames held off the Charger comeback, taking set three 25-20.
 
A quick 4-0 Flame run in the final set, was answered with a six-point Charger run to take a 14-11 edge. However, the Flames responded with another run to retake a 16-14 lead. BC battled to the end but fell 22-25 in the fourth set.
 
Alexis Johnson hit .257 on her 15 kills and had three blocks. Chloe Johnson had 11 kills with 12 digs. Wasmund had four blocks, while Toria Andre had three.
 
"Alexis had her best game she has had all year tonight," said Weatherford. "She was able to find the hole in the CSM defense and terminated at a high rate. Tannah did a really good job running our offense and moving our hitters around to deceive their blocks and put our hitters in a good position to score."
 
Tannah Heath dished out 34 assists, had 13 digs and one service ace. Jaice Johnsen recorded 13 digs and Abbey Jones had nine.
 
The Chargers will celebrate Senior Day tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the Newman Flanagan Center against Mount Marty.