OMAHA, Neb. – With a tradition as rich as the College of Saint Mary's volleyball program, expectations will always be high.

The 2025 season is no different as the Flames have their sights set on a fifth trip to the NAIA national tournament in the last seven years and a 13th national appearance in all.

CSM opens on Friday at the Palm Beach Juniors Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla., facing Florida College (21-9 in 2024) at 1 p.m. Central Daylight Time and Florida Memorial (1-24) at 3 p.m. CDT. On Saturday in the same tournament, CSM will meet WVU Tech (11-18) at 1 p.m. CDT and Saint Francis (Ind.) (11-19) at 3 p.m. CDT. Here is a link to live streaming and live stats for the tournament: Palm Beach Juniors Classic.

A year ago CSM rode the roller coaster, tying for seventh in the Great Plains Athletic Conference at 7-9 and finishing 16-14 overall after a quarterfinal loss to then-top ranked Northwestern College in the GPAC tournament.

The Flames were picked sixth in this year's preseason poll by the GPAC coaches, and ninth-year coach Rick Pruett has his sights set even higher.

"Our expectations are to be in the top five in the conference and for a return to the NAIA national tournament,'' he said.

Five players return who were in the regular rotation last season.

Junior middle Azaria Green earned second-team All-GPAC honors last year. The Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln graduate led the Flames in hitting efficiency at .276, which was ninth in the conference among players with at least 100 kills. She also led the team in blocks per set with 0.92, which was 10th in the GPAC, while ranking second on the team in kills per set (2.63).

Junior Elen Pruett was named to the All-GPAC honorable mention list last year while playing the libero position. The Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, native and daughter of the head coach led CSM with 4.55 digs per set, ranking seventh in the conference.

Senior Kaitlyn Busby shared the setting duties in the Flames' 6-2 offense in 2024, racking up 4.85 assists per set along with a team-high 33 aces and 207 digs, which was fourth.

Senior Krissy Radicia is another experienced returnee. She was second in digs behind Pruett with 3.21 per set and also ranked third with 24 aces.

Junior Caitlin McCormack was a steady back-row contributor a year ago, ranking third on the team with 2.23 digs per set.

"Our defense and serving will be strengths,'' Rick Pruett said.

Junior setter/rightside hitter Mady Welp and junior middle Malory Dickson made contributions last year in part-time roles. The 6-foot-1 Welp averaged 1.11 kills in 45 sets and added 24 block assists, while the 5-11 Dickson averaged 0.92 kills in 39 sets and matched Welp with 24 block assists.

Welp and Dickson represent two of CSM's tallest players. The Flames likely will be at a height disadvantage in many of their GPAC matches.

"We aren't very big, so we will have to play good defense and create scoring opportunities,'' Rick Pruett said.

To compensate for the loss of standouts Liz Henrichson, Grace Werner, Miranda Ring and Morgan Ramsey, CSM sees promise in transfers Kennedy Buck and Caylin Barnett, among others.

Buck, a 5-8 sophomore setter, is a Prophetstown, Ill., native who played most recently at Rock Valley (Ill.) College. Barnett, a 5-8 junior outside hitter, is from McCook, Neb., and played most recently at McCook Community College.

Pruett will be assisted by Natalie Patten, Allison Whitten and Henrichson, who has traded a uniform for coaching gear.

Dedicated preseason work and newfound commitment have set the stage for a successful season.

"Our culture and chemistry will be strong,'' Pruett said. "Positives so far have been their work ethic, their chemistry, and the fact that they have all been very coachable and receptive to changes.''