SEWARD, Neb. – The College of Saint Mary volleyball team lost its first match of the season Saturday.

CSM was defeated 3-0 by Concordia University in the Great Plains Athletic Conference showdown. The Bulldogs won by scores of 25-14, 26-24, 25-13.

"It was not a very good performance by us," CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "Lack of energy and just all-around poor play cost us."

The Bulldogs entered the match as the No. 8-ranked team in the country in the most recent NAIA Coaches' poll. The Flames entered as the No. 13 team.

"Credit to Concordia," Pruett said. "They are really good. But, unfortunately, we made it pretty easy for them today. We had a chance in set two to get in the match, but really bad fundamental errors hurt us."

Makenna Freeman (SR/Omaha, Neb.) led CSM's offensive efforts with 11 kills. Teammates Lexie Langley (JR/Fremont, Neb.) and Grace Werner (SO/Omaha, Neb.) both added nine kills. Setter Lauren Anderson (JR/Gretna, Neb.) finished with 32 assists. Libero Rachel Cushing (JR/Council Bluffs, Iowa) tallied 13 digs and Anderson added 10.

"Makenna and Grace were the only ones that produced consistent offense today," Pruett said. "Grace hit .250 and Makenna hit .241."

With the loss, CSM drops to 3-1 in the GPAC and 13-1 overall. Concordia improves to 3-1, 12-1.

The Flames don't have much time to think about this loss as the No. 1 team in the country – Midland University – is on the docket next. The Warriors come to CSM on Wednesday. JV starts at 6 p.m. and varsity is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.

*In junior varsity action Saturday, the Flames won 36-34, 25-14.