ThunderWolves nearly turn would-be sweep into five-set win.

By CSU-Pueblo Athletics Media Relations

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Sept. 25, 2010) - It was a match the ThunderWolves had no business winning.  But that didn't make it sting any less.

Trailing 23-17 in the third set, quickly on the way to getting swept in three sets by Fort Lewis Saturday night, the Pack staged an unlikely comeback, pushing the match all the way to decisive fifth set but falling just three points short, losing 23-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 12-15.

CSU-Pueblo had exhibited mental errors in the first two sets, and Pack coach Chris Jonson was experimenting with a variety of subs to find the right fit.  He found it with a very subtle sub, as 2009 team kills leader, Janae Heiser (Jr., Westminster, Colo.), came in at outside hitter and suddenly, the Pack magically meshed. 

Heiser immediately turned in two blocks, and the ThunderWolves converted nine of the next 10 points after her entry, turning a 23-17 deficit to a 26-24 win.

CSU-Pueblo rode that momentum to a dominant 25-18 win in the fourth set, forcing a deciding fifth game.  But CSU-Pueblo and Fort Lewis had a back-and-forth battle in the final set, and the ThunderWolves simply ran out of gas.

Five ThunderWolves had 10 or more kills in the marathon match, led by Tamia Herholz (RSo., Colorado Springs, Colo.), who had 14 kills and exhibited the night and day transformation of the ThunderWolves.  Through three sets, she had just six kills and 10 attack errors, but turned in eight kills and just three errors in the final two sets.

CSU-Pueblo will continue its home stand Tuesday, when it hosts Western State at Massari Arena.  The Pack will be looking to avenge a non-conference loss to the Mountaineers earlier this season.