OMAHA, Neb. – The College of Saint Mary volleyball team honored its nine seniors with a victory Saturday afternoon. The Flames defeated Morningside University 3-1.

CSM seniors Mackenzie Vitosh, Lexie Langley, Lauryn Willman, Rachel Cushing, Lauren Anderson, Kayla Peterson, Kamryn Willman, Lauren Pfeifer and Emily Gilbert were all recognized before the match.

Morningside won the opening set 28-26, but the Flames won the next three sets – 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 – to clinch the Great Plains Athletic Conference victory.

"It was a great day and a great way to honor our seniors with a home win," CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "We had to battle and grind it out again and we did that. I'm very proud of the ladies for that.

"We struggled with consistency in the first set. We had a lead late in the game, but gave it up with some unforced errors. Then we really cleaned it up after that and played good volleyball."

Kamryn Willman led CSM with 17 kills, while Grace Werner belted 16, Vitosh tallied 11, Langley had eight and Alex Radcliffe finished with seven. Anderson compiled 31 assists on the day, while fellow setter Miranda Ring added 23. Cushing finished with 23 digs and Kamryn Willman managed five blocks.

"Kamryn led the way with 17 kills and .455 hitting efficiency," Pruett said. "Grace was right behind her with 16 kills and four blocks. As a team our hitting efficiency was .280 – which I'm very happy with.

"This team continues to amaze me with how they come together through some rough times."

The Flames improve to 7-3 in the GPAC and 18-4 overall. The Mustangs drop to 4-6, 11-13. CSM returns to action Wednesday with Doane University coming to town.

*In junior varsity play Saturday, Morningside won 2-0 by scores of 25-19, 25-19.