LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan University made the necessary plays in the key moments and swept College of Saint Mary 25-18, 30-28, 25-23 in nonconference volleyball Tuesday night at Snyder Arena.

As the scores indicate, the Flames had plenty of chances to get back into the match. However, they couldn't produce a key kill or block in the right moment.

"A disappointing effort and result,'' CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "It was another night where we played emotionless volleyball.''

The Flames led 16-15 in the first set, but NWU ran off six straight points and didn't allow the visitors back in contention.

CSM's best chance to turn the tide came in the second set. The Flames held leads of 22-18 and 23-19, but then surrendered four straight to make it 23-all.

CSM had four set points – leading 24-23, 25-24, 26-25 and 27-26 – but couldn't deal the final blow before the Prairie Wolves closed it out.

In the third set, CSM trailed 19-14 but rallied to even things at 23-all. However, NWU scored the final two points to improve to 12-6 while dropping the Flames to 12-9.

"Our blocking was poor, which made it really hard to play defense,'' Pruett said. "Offensively, we couldn't put the ball away and were non-aggressive.''

Caylin Barnett led the Flames in kills with 13 while hitting a team-best .282. Caitlin McCormack added eight kills and Madalyn Welp seven. CSM was outhit .199-.126.

Kaitlyn Busby notched 20 assists and Kennedy Buck had 15. Buck served two of the team's four aces, while Elen Pruett led with 20 digs, followed by McCormack (14) and Krissy Radicia (13).

CSM returns to GPAC play on Saturday in a 3 p.m. match Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa.