ORANGE CITY, Iowa – College of Saint Mary knew the odds were stacked against it as it traveled north to face unbeaten and top-ranked Northwestern College.

And the Red Raiders showed why they've reached such a lofty status in the NAIA volleyball world, ending the Flames' season by scores of 25-16, 25-18, 25-20 Saturday in their GPAC Tournament quarterfinal at the Bultman Center.

"It just wasn't our night,'' CSM Coach Rick Pruett said. "They were way more physical and we couldn't get any blocks against them. That's not a remedy for success.''

Northwestern improved to 28-0 on the season, while the Flames ended Pruett's eighth season at the helm at 16-14.

The reality is that CSM's season easily could have ended well short of the conference tournament. However, the Flames rallied with three straight dramatic wins to close the regular season and reach the tournament.

"It took a lot for us to even get here, having to win our last three matches and all of them going five sets,'' Pruett said. "I'm proud of them for that.''

College of Saint Mary's best chance to win a set came in the third. Kayla Petersen had a kill in a 3-0 run to get the Flames within 21-18. CSM was still within 23-20 before Jazlin Douma closed it out with a pair of kills.

The Red Raiders outhit CSM .330 to .152 and outblocked the visitors 8-2.

For the Flames, Grace Werner went out on a high note with a team-high 12 kills and a .269 hitting percentage. Petersen added six kills and hit .333. Miranda Ring had 12 assists and Kaitlyn Busby eight. Elen Pruett paced the defense with 11 digs and Ring pitched in 10.

CSM says goodbye to eight graduating players: Werner, Ring, Petersen, Madisyn Havermann, Liz Henrichson, Morgan Ramsey, Kamryn Chohon and Haley Bedlan.

"A huge thank you to my eight graduating players who have meant so much to our program,'' Pruett said. "I love them all and they all mean a lot to me.''