The Briar Cliff volleyball team fell in straight sets Friday night to College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.
 
"Tonight, we started out playing well together," said head coach Lindsey Weatherford. "Our blockers were able to keep up with the CSM hitters tonight and I thought we did a good job of staying with them at the net. Toria Andre, Sami Wasmund and Taryn Nothem were a force for us."
 
Thre CSM errors and a block from Toria Andre and Reese Strouth gave the Cliff an early 4-1 lead in the first set. The Chargers would hold the lead until the Flames tied it at 13-13. The score would tie again at 15-all on a Sami Wasmund and Taryn Nothem block, but the Flames would take the lead on 6-2 run. Makynna Snow notched a kill to pull the Cliff within three, but back-to-back CSM points ended set one, 25-20.
 
The Flames attack picked up in the second set, as they hit .281 with 13 kills in the set.  CSM had 7-0 run early in the set, and an 8-0 swing near the end as they won 25-15.
 
The Chargers trailed 6-8 in the third set after a Yenne Schepers ace, but CSM pulled away with a 10-2 run to take a 10-point lead. BC scored back-to-back points following a timeout, but the Flames closed out the match with three straight points.
 
"Set two got away from us and the momentum stayed with CSM until the end when we were able to go on a run," said Weatherford. "I thought we could have done a better job in serve receive tonight so we will really focus on that when we come back to the court tomorrow."
 
The Chargers out-blocked the Flames 8-3, but hit just .029 to CSM's .225.
 
Snow and Wasmund led the Cliff with five kills each. Nothem had a team best .429 and had three kills.
 
Avery Beller had a game high 16 digs, while Jaice Johnsen had 10. Olivia Corey (2), Schepers and Baylee Greene had aces for the Cliff. Schepers handed out 11 assists and Corey had seven.
 
The Chargers travel to Yankton, South Dakota tomorrow for a match against Mount Marty. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.