PUEBLO, Colo. (Sept. 24, 2022) - The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team won a thrilling five-set match 3-2 (24-26, 25-20, 18-25, 25-19, 15-8) over Adams State University on Saturday inside Massari Arena.

On a night where the offense struggled out of the gate, the Pack showed their resilience and was able to rally back after going down 2-1 overall in the match to win the final two sets in convincing fashion.

The ThunderWolves were led offensively by Payton Van Veen who finished with a game-high 22 kills and earned a .313 hitting percentage. Sadie Scoville finished with double-digit kills (10) and Hannah Delor and Jazzy Espinoza both recorded nine kills in the victory.

CSU Pueblo's setter duo of Grace Hern and Sabrina King both finished with a season-highs in assists with 25 and 22, respectively.

After dropping the first set 26-24, the ThunderWolves responded in the next set and pulled away late to win by five points and even the score at 1-1.

In set three, CSU Pueblo hit for a game-low .139 percentage and earned 11 kills on 36 total attempts and dropped the set 25-18 to the Grizzlies.

In a must-win fourth set, the Pack offense came alive and after starting the set trailing 5-1, CSU Pueblo flexed its muscle and evened the score at 9-9 before the Pack took over. 

Trailing 11-10, Espinoza and Co. went on a 12-point rally and built a 21-11 lead all with Espnioza at the serve. During the rally, Espinoza dished out seven service aces.

Bailey Combs who played in three sets off the bench, provided a spark of offense at the right time throughout the match and finished with four kills.

ASU fought back and got within six points before the ThunderWolves were able to seal the set win 25-19.

In the last and deciding set, the crowd inside Massari Arena got behind their home team and helped the Pack find the energy and fight back after the set was tied at 7-7.

Over the last eight points, the ThunderWolves totaled five kills and capitalized on a pair of attack errors to come away with the 15-8 set and match victory.

CSU Pueblo (12-2, 5-1 RMAC) remains at home and will welcome UCCS for a rare-midweek contest on Tuesday at 7 p.m. inside Massari Arena.