HASTINGS, Neb. – After a humbling volleyball loss to Concordia University on Wednesday, College of Saint Mary squandered a 23-16 lead on Saturday and dropped the opening set to Hastings College.

At a moment where the Flames could have wilted, they toughened. They rallied from a 23-21 deficit to win set two, then finished off a satisfying 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 27-25 Great Plains Athletic Conference road victory at Lynn Farrell Arena.

"Winning GPAC matches on the road is tough, so I'm really proud of the team,'' CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "After giving the first set away, I was worried about how we would respond, and the girls did a great job moving past it and getting it done.''

The Flames improved to 8-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while Hastings dropped to 4-8 and 1-1.

Pruett pointed to blocking and defense as keys to the comeback victory. Azaria Green led the blockers with two solos and six assists, while Caitlin McCormack had three assists and Madalyn Welp, Caylin Barnett, Jadeyn Smidt and Malory Dickson added two assists each, with Barnett also collecting a solo block.

In the back row, five players reached double-digit digs: Elen Pruett (19), Krissy Radicia (16), McCormack (16), Kaitlyn Busby (12) and Kennedy Buck (10).

"I was really happy with our blocking and defense,'' Rick Pruett said. "Twenty-one blocks and 84 digs really helped us.''

The CSM coach also said his team's serving was great, and that it often kept Hastings out of system. McCormack, Radicia and Elen Pruett led the way with two aces apiece, and Kathryn Gaughen added one.

With Hastings leading 23-21 in the second set, a missed serve, a setting error and two attack errors allowed the Flames to even the match.

CSM picked up its hitting in the final two sets, outswinging the Broncos .128-.000 in the third and then .244-.196 in the fourth. Three players spearheaded the attack. Green had 13 kills and hit .344, while McCormack added 11 kills with a .273 efficiency and Welp contributed 11 kills at .276 efficiency.

"Azaria was really good today hitting and blocking, and Madalyn had some great kills for us in set three and four,'' Rick Pruett said.

It took the Flames four match points to put it away in the fourth set. At 25-all, Green's kill gave CSM another chance, and a Bronco attack error ended it.

Busby led CSM with 20 assists and Buck added 14 in the 6-2 attack.

"It was a very good win for us on the road,'' Rick Pruett said.

CSM will look to continue its winning ways on Wednesday night at home with a 7:30 GPAC match against Doane University.

*In the JV match, CSM lost 25-11, 25-21.