PUEBLO, Colo. (Oct. 21, 2022) - The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team pushed No. 22 Colorado School of Mines to four sets before falling 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 16-25, 26-28) in a Rocky Mountain Athletic battle inside Massari Arena.

The ThunderWolves combined for 44 kills in the match and scored seven service aces.

Payton Van Veen led the team with 14 kills and Josey Nunn finished with five blocks on the defensive side.

In the match, CSU Pueblo came away with a win in the first set and controlled the ball for most of the set. Early on the ThunderWolves scored four straight points to take a small lead. 

Tied at 18 apiece, CSU Pueblo scored three points in a row for a 21-18 lead. After a point from Mines, the Pack tallied two points and after Mines scored another point, the offense was able to put together another back-to-back points and built a 23-19 lead.

After a service error from Mines, Megan Mattingly hit a service ace to come away with the five-point victory in set one.

In set two both teams exchanged points until the set was tied at 13-13. From that point, CSU Pueblo went ahead by three points before the Mines offense kicked it into gear and went on a 6-2 run to take a one-point lead.

The Orediggers scored four in a row and the ThunderWolves responded with mini run for themselves and got within one point before Mines won the set on a kill.

In set three, Mines controlled possession throughout and won by a nine point advantage.

During the fourth set, CSU Pueblo went ahead early by a 9-2 clip and Mines chipped away at the lead. The ThunderWolves carried the lead to 23-20 before CSM once again was able to tie the set at 23 apiece.

The Pack was unable to stop the offensive attack from the Orediggers as the visitors recorded two points each time against just one point from the Pack.

In a race to 25 points in the set, CSU Pueblo got to that mark and Mines again hit the equalizer at 25-25 and got to match point before CSU Pueblo tied and Mines put the set and match away with back-to-back points and won the set 28-26.

Sabrina King earned 21 assists while three other Pack players totaled double-digits in digs, led by Elaine Thibadeau with 17 digs.

CSU Pueblo (16-5, 9-4 RMAC) host Chadron State to close out the weekend. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Massari Arena.