PUEBLO, Colo. (September 4, 2019) – Colorado State University-Pueblo Volleyball opens its season at the 2019 Holiday Inn and Comfort Suites Southern Invite in Joplin Mo. Friday Sept. 6 to Saturday Sept. 7.
 
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The ThunderWolves will start their season Friday at 2 p.m. (MTN) against Cameron University. They will also battle the tournament host, Missouri Southern State University, Friday at 6 p.m. (MTN). On Saturday, the Pack plays Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 10 a.m. (MTN) and tangles with Wayne State College at  2 p.m. (MTN)
 
Austin Albers takes over as the Pack's Head Coach. Albers compiled a 145-57 record at Laramie County Community College. He earned NJCAA Region IX Coach of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons.
 
Albers will look to lead the Pack back to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. The Pack has missed the RMAC Tournament in each of the last two seasons.
 
Pack Roster Capsule
Returners (8)
Page Heller (Sr., L/DS, Vancouver, Wash.)
- Set program record with 522 digs, 5.22 digs per set, and 39 digs in a match
- 2018 Honorable Mention All-RMAC

Brooke Schilling (Jr., OH, Platteville, Colo. )
- 2018 Honorable Mention All-RMAC
- 3.09 kills per set (Eighth-most in the RMAC in 2018)
 
Sarah Vang (Sr., OH, Parker, Colo.)
- Ranked second on the Pack with 2.63 kills per set in 2018.

Kelsey Bell (Sr., S, Los Lunas, N.M.)
- 634 career assists
 
Grace Hern (So., S, Omaha, Neb.)
- Ranked sixth in the RMAC with 9.68 assists per set, the second-highest average of any RMAC freshman
 
Grace Miles (Jr., RS, Parker, Colo.)
- Set career-highs with 173 kills and 2.01 kills per set in 2018

Sam Novak (So., DS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
- Averaged a team-best 0.28 service aces per set and totaled 16 aces in 2018.

Maddy Wisniewski (Jr., RS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
- Averaged 1.71 kills per set in 2018.

Newcomers (10)

Kita Elsner (Fr., DS, Colorado Springs, Colo.)
- 2018 Colorado Springs Metro League Player of the Year

Jazzy Espinosa (So., MB, Cheyenne, Wyo.)
- Earned All-Region IX and Region Ix North Freshman of the Year honors in 2018.

Kasey Jahnke (Fr., OH, Glendale, Ariz.)
- Earned All-Region and All-District accolades in 2018.
 
Grace Jansen (Fr., S, South Jordan, Utah)
- Three-time All-State 6A selection
 
Kennede Jones (Fr., MB, Garland, Texas)
- Earned First Team All-Garland Independent School District 6A honors twice.
 
Lissette Lefforge (Jr., MB/Opp, Otis, Colo.)
- Averaged 2.55 kills per set in two seasons at Eastern Wyoming College.
 
Kyle Meltzer (Jr., L/DS, Fort Collins, Colo.)
- Earned Region IX All-Tournament Team honors in 2018.
 
Tyler Speller (Jr., MB, Aurora, Colo.)
- Swatted her way to 187 blocks over the last two seasons.
 
Payton Stack (Jr., Opp, Casper, Wyo.)
- Earned First Team All-Region IX honors in 2018
 
Diamond'Nique Young (Fr., Fresno, Calif.)
- Named Second Team All- Tri River Athletic Conference in 2018
 
Opponent Capsules
Cameron                                                       Missouri Southern State
2018 Record: 4-26                                      2018 record: 3-25
Series Record: Cameron leads 6-4                        Series Record: Series tied 1-1      
Last Meeting: Cameron won 3-2 in 2014 Last Meeting: Pack won 3-0 in 2012
 
Southwestern Oklahoma State                 Wayne State
2018 Record: 21-7                                      2018 record: 22-9
Series Record: Pack leads 3-1                   Series Record: Wayne State leads 5-1
Last Meeting: SWOSU won 3-2 in 2017    Last Meeting: WSC won 3-2 in 2017
 
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.