BUTTE, Mont. – There was nothing easy about the College of Saint Mary volleyball team's start to the 2023 season.

The Flames opened with the No. 3-ranked team in the country in the Big Sky Volleyball Challenge. Eastern Oregon University defeated CSM 3-1 by scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-20 and 26-24.

But the Flames bounced back and knocked off Arizona Christian University 3-1 by scores of 22-25, 25-15, 25-19 and 25-18.

Against Eastern Oregon the Flames dropped the opening set but rallied to win the second. After losing the third set, CSM battled until the end in the fourth set before falling 26-24.

"I thought we played a pretty good match and really had chances to win," CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "We had some unforced errors in sets one and three that cost us those games. However, I was really proud of the effort we made against the No. 3 team in the country.

"I thought Lexi (Langley) played a really good match for us and Azaria (Green) did really well in her first collegiate match. Defensively we were good and kept balls off the ground by hustle and effort."

In the second match CSM lost the opening set but found a way to get back on track and pull out the win.

"I was proud of how we held together after the first set," Pruett said. "I thought we were more consistent with less unforced errors. Our setters and hitters connected much better. Everyone contributed well. Azaria and Kamryn (Willman) played well in the middle and that opened up a lot for our hitters."

Langley and Green led the Flames in the second match with 12 kills each. Willman tallied eight kills and Morgan Ramsey added six. Setters Lauren Anderson and Miranda Ring both finished with 22 assists. Krissy Radicia had a team-high 14 digs, while Langely and Rachel Cushing both added 11.

CSM is now 1-1 on the season and resumes competition in the tournament Friday. The Flames face College of Idaho at noon (CST) and SAGU at 4 p.m. (CST).

*The stats for the first match are incomplete because of some computer issues. Big Sky Volleyball Challenge statisticians are still working on them.