OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary pushed above the .500 mark in Great Plains Athletic Conference volleyball play Friday with a dominant 25-14, 25-15, 25-18 victory over Briar Cliff University at the Lied Fitness Center.

"I just think that was probably our most well-rounded match of the year from all aspects of the game,'' CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "We served really well, served tough and kept them out of system all night.''

The Flames improved to 12-7 overall and 5-4 in the GPAC, while Briar Cliff fell to 8-12 and 2-7.

Serving wasn't the only area where CSM shined.

"Our serve-receive kept us in system, and then our offense took care of business,'' Pruett said. "When you're clicking on those cylinders and everything's going right like that, it kind of feeds you, and from the first point to the last point I just felt really comfortable about everything we were doing.''

Just six nights earlier, Briar Cliff had taken national No. 2 Concordia University to five sets before falling 15-11 in the fifth.

"I was worried about this match coming in,'' Pruett said. "They've been playing good ball. We were really in system and being extremely aggressive and sticking to our game plan from top to bottom.''

The Flames hit a sizzling .387 for the match. Caylin Barnett led the way with 17 kills, hitting .273. Azaria Green was nearly unstoppable in the middle, adding 10 kills and a .692 kill efficiency. Madalyn Welp was nearly as productive on the right side, hitting .667 with eight kills. Caitlin McCormack added seven kills and hit .438, while Mya Weber pitched in six kills and hit .333.

"Both outsides (Barnett and McCormack) very well could have played their most efficient games of the year,'' Pruett said. "And Madalyn was hitting the ball with purpose tonight. She played with a mission. Our setters (Kaitlin Busby and Kennedy Buck) did a really good job of getting the ball to hitters who were hot.''

Busby had 23 assists and Buck 22. Elen Pruett had 13 digs, while Buck had 10 and McCormack nine. Marley McMains led a nine-ace attack with three ace serves, while Pruett, McCormack and Buck added two apiece.

CSM hopes to ride the momentum into Saturday's 5 p.m. home GPAC match with Morningside University.

*Briar Cliff defeated CSM in the JV match 25-17, 22-25, 15-10.