PUEBLO, Colo. (November 5, 2022) - After going down two sets against the No. 1 team in the country, the Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team responded in a big way and climbed their way back to tie the match at 2-2 before ultimately falling in the fifth and decisive set on Saturday inside Massari Arena.

CSU Pueblo battled throughout the five-set match and ended with scores of 23-25, 25-27, 30-28, 25-21, 11-15 in front of a crowd of over 200 people.

The ThunderWolves had three players finish in double-digit kills led by Megan Mattingly and Payton Van Veen each knocking down 12 kills. Jazzy Espinoza added ten kills and was a force at the net, finishing with five blocks.

Bailey Combs was the spark off the bench and totaled nine kills along with four blocks.

Sabrina King poured in 20 assists and Grace Hern added 18 dimes for the Pack.

Despite going down 2-0 after the first two sets, the ThunderWolves kept each of the sets close and a few unlucky plays gave the Roadrunners the boost.

In the first set, the Pack got out to a 15-10 lead before MSU Denver rallied and went on a 5-0 run to tie it up at 15 apiece.

The Roadrunners went ahead 23-18 and the ThunderWolves scored five straight points behind a strong serve by Elaine Thibadeau. The visitors would score the final two points for the set win.

During the second set, MSU Denver jumped out to an 8-1 lead before the Pack chipped away and fought their way back into the match. CSU Pueblo got within 12-10 and finally tied things up at 21-21 and the seesaw battle continued until it was tied at 25-25 and MSU Denver again rallied for the final two points and the 2-0 lead in the match.

The energy in the arena was instrumental in the ThunderWolves coming out to start on an 11-6 run to start the third set. MSU Denver climbed back into the match and the ThunderWolves defense kept the Roadrunners at bay.

Trailing by two late in the set, the Pack scored three straight points and later found themselves against match point and the defense tallied back-to-back kills and after a sideout, was back on offense and two more kills helped avoid the shutout.

In the fourth set, both teams matched point-for-point and was CSU Pueblo that capitalized on an attack error and bad set along with a kill to go ahead 23-20.

The Pack forced the fifth set after a Roadrunner error and a service ace from the Pack.

In the race to 15-points fifth set, CSU Pueblo went ahead 3-1 but a five-point rally from MSU Denver put them ahead and the Pack was unable to mount a comeback, falling 15-11.

CSU Pueblo finishes the regular season 19-7 and 12-6 in RMAC play.

The ThunderWolves clinched the 5th seed in the upcoming RMAC Tournament starting Thursday at conference champion and top seed MSU Denver.

Stay tuned to www.gothunderwolves.com for the latest schedule updates and to find out the ThunderWolves opponent in the RMAC Tournament Quarterfinal.