Briar Cliff University

The Charger women's volleyball team battled College of Saint Mary Friday night at the Newman Flanagan Center, earning a second-set victory before the Flames took the next two sets to secure a 3-1 win.
 
CSM took control early in the opening set, building an advantage as the Chargers worked to stay within reach. Briar Cliff battled back late, using a 3-0 run that included a service ace from Mia Torchia and a kill from Emma Brenelli to cut the deficit to 23-19. The Flames answered with two of the final three points to claim the set 25-20.
 
The Chargers responded with a strong second-set performance. The teams traded points throughout the frame, with BCU finding momentum late after the score was tied at 19-19. A kill from Brenelli and a block by Aubrey Hoeft and Caton Firkins helped the Chargers take a 20-19 lead. Briar Cliff continued to battle through a close finish, tying the set at 23-23 before a College of Saint Mary attack error and a kill from Aliyah Rhynalds secured a 25-23 Charger victory to even the match at one set apiece.
 
College of Saint Mary came out strong in the third set, building an early lead and putting pressure on the Charger offense. Briar Cliff continued to compete, with kills from Rhynalds, Brooklyn Voss and Brianna Wittrock, but the Flames maintained their advantage. CSM closed the set 25-13 to move ahead 2-1 in the match.
 
Briar Cliff fought throughout the fourth set, trading points with the Flames early before putting together a strong stretch. The Chargers pulled within one at 13-12 and continued to fight, with Wittrock and Brenelli contributing key kills late. BCU cut the deficit to 22-21, but College of Saint Mary scored the final three points to take the set 25-21 and complete the match.
 
Brenelli and Wittrock led the Charger offense with 13 and nine kills, respectively. Voss added eight kills while hitting .308, and Rhynalds contributed six kills while hitting .263. At the net, Voss also recorded five block assists, while Rhynalds and Hoeft each added six block assists.
 
Torchia directed the offense with 17 assists and also tallied three service aces, while Reese Strouth added 23 assists. Korbin Olorndami led the defensive effort with a team-high 23 digs, and Ireland Jackson contributed 13 digs. 
 
The Chargers return to action Saturday, October 11, hosting the Mount Marty Lancers for. Senior and Alumni Day. First serve is set for 3 p.m.