Friday, March 6, 2026
The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
Softball

Volleyball team breaks even; wins 2, loses 2

Guest Author

The Eagles started their season with a 2-2 record on the road Friday and Saturday at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Tournament.

CSC earned its first victory over Newman University, Wichita, Kan., and were handed their first loss by nationally ranked UNK in three  sets.

The Eagles next loss was to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, but CSC turned around to finish the tournament with a victory over William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo.

Head Coach Janel Baily explained her expectations about the tournament.

“I knew we could win the games against William Jewell and Newman University,” she said.  “William Jewell was a little tougher competition than expected, but we played well. I was also hoping to win against the Mines, but I am happy with two wins.”

DeCent
DeCent

Each player had a moment in which she shined.

For Alyssa Bauer, junior of Rapid City, it was leading the team with a match-high 20 digs against William Jewell. Also against William Jewell, Hanna Flaming, junior or Benton, Kan., and Barbie DeCent, senior of Paxton, each hit over .300. Alia Brennan, freshman of Chadron, tallied four kills and three blocks. Justine Ackie, sophomore of Phoenix, handed out 41 set assists.

In the opening match against Newman, Ericka Roybal, junior of Denver, Jessica Jester, senior of Cheyenne, Wyo., DeCent, and Flaming had at least 10 kills, helping  the Eagles hit .111 as a team.

On the defensive side, Brittany Oddo, junior of Peoria, Ariz., led CSC with 15 digs, and Bauer had 11 digs.

Baily said she was proud of the players’ effort.

“Each of the girls had their own bright moments and they all came at different times,” Baily said. “As a team we learned that we have to work on our consistency for the next tourney.

“The middle two games this past weekend were a little slow both on an individual level and a team level. Consistency will be our focus this week,” Baily said.

This week the Eagles travel to Colorado State University-Pueblo where they take on William Jewell, Wayne (Nebraska) State College, Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Mo., and Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo.

“We are lucky with our next match against William Jewell. We know them,” Bailey said. “We know their strengths, their weaknesses, and we know how to beat them. My only hope for the girls is that they understand that no team will hand them a victory. We cannot overlook that.”