DENVER, Colo. (February 20, 2021) – Colorado State University Pueblo Volleyball defeated Colorado Christian University in four sets Saturday (25-20, 25-20. 21-25, 25-19).  The ThunderWolves also lost to No. 4 Metropolitan State University Denver  (20-25, 16-25, 12-25) Saturday in the MSU Denver pod.
 
CSU Pueblo improved to 3-2 on the season. They are 1-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
 
Coach Albers Quote:
"We were grateful to get out of today 1-1 based on how we performed overall," said CSU Pueblo Head Volleyball Coach Austin Albers. "We all believe we are a better team that we showed today. We responded well after the loss and showed maturity.
 
"Finding ways to win when you're not playing your best is a skill and sometimes you have to win ugly. It was nice to see us grit through it a find a way to get a win."
 
Individual Highlights:
Maddy Wisniewski (Sr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.) slammed down 12 kills in the win over the Cougars. Wisniewski hit a career-best .478 for the match. She had five blocks in the two matches including three against the Cougars. Wisniewski led the Pack with eight kills against the Roadrunners.
 
Jazzy Espinoza (Jr., Cheyenne, Wyo.) knocked down 10 kills against the Cougars. Espinoza hit.467 for the match. She finished the day with six blocks.
 
 Freshman Bailey Combs (So., Fresno, Calif.) totaled a career-best 11 kills in the afternoon game.
 
Grace Jansen (So., South Jordan, Utah) set a career-high with 21 assists against the Cougars. Jansen dropped in a pair of aces in the win.
 
Grace Hern (Jr., Omaha, Neb.) handed out 17 assists. Hern also knocked down five kills while hitting .625. against CCU.
 
Elaine Thibadeau (Jr., Monument, Colo.) came up with 18 digs in the win over the Cougars. The 18 digs set a new season-high for Thibadeau.
 
Kasey Jahnke (So.,  Glendale, Ariz.) led the Pack with five aces Saturday. Jahnke also had four blocks, including solo rejections against the Roadrunners.
 
Match Summaries:
The Roadunners held the ThunderWolves to a -.018 hitting percentage.  After losing the first set, the Pack led set two 13-12, before the Roadrunners went on a n 11-0 run that propelled them to win in set two. They continued this momentum into set three to complete the sweep.
 
The Pack responded in their match against the Cougars.  In set one, the Pack used a 4-0 run to take a 24-18 lead. They closed out the opening set on a Combs kill.  The ThunderWolves hit .444 in the opening set. 
 
Trailing in set two 6-4, the Pack unleashed a 9-2 run that put them in front 13-8. The Cougars answered with a run of their own that vaulted them in front 20-19.  The Pack closed out the Cougars with a 6-0 run to end the second set. The Pack held the Cougars to a .088 hitting percentage in set two.
 
After losing set three, the Pack retaliated in set four. The Pack once again led 13-8, thanks to a 6-1 run. They would never trail after this run, pulling out the four set victory.
 
Up Next:
The Pack continues its road trip with a visit to Fort Lewis College Saturday Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. 
 
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