SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – It was two different types of matches for CSM volleyball Saturday at the Evangel Quadrangular.
The Flames cruised to a 3-0 victory over host Evangel University in the morning contest. CSM won by scores of 25-23, 25-21 and 27-25. But the second match was a different story as the Flames lost 3-1 to William Woods University. CSM won the first set 25-15 but then dropped the next three by scores of 25-22, 25-16 and 25-23 to lose the match.
Pruett was pleased with his team’s play in the early match.
“This was a good win for us and a great way to get it done in three,” CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. “Evangel came into the match 9-0 on the season. We did a really good job playing in control and aggressive for the most part.”
Azaria Green paced the Flames with 14 kills while teammate Liz Henrichson tallied eight. Setters Miranda Ring and Kaitlyn Busby ran the offense with 20 and 14 assists, respectively. Elen Pruett had a match-high 32 digs and Krissy Radicia added 13.
“Azaria was great – 14 kills, no hitting errors, hitting .487 and adding four blocks,” Pruett said. “She was really dialed in. Defensively, Elen was great with 32 digs in a three-set match.
“I was really proud of the team and how they played that match.”
The Flames had trouble carrying that success into the afternoon contest vs. William Woods.
“Inconsistency continues to haunt us,” Pruett said. “We are letting the little things kill us. We gave up long runs, had communication breakdowns and lacked discipline.”
Green led CSM again with 14 kills, Hendrichson and Madisyn Havermann both tallied 11 and Grace Werner added 10. Ring and Busby both finished with 24 assists. Pruett had 20 digs, Radicia chipped in with 19 and Busby contributed 11.
“We had four hitters in double digits and Azaria led us with 14 kills,” Pruett said. “But we need to find a way to get better at the little things.”
The Flames are 9-5 on the season and play again Wednesday with a road contest at Concordia University.
