PUEBLO, Colo. - The Colorado State University Pueblo Volleyball Team snapped their three-game losing streak, defeating Chadron State College three games to one on Dig Pink Night at Massari Arena.

The annual Dig Pink Night is a night to honor and raise awareness for breast cancer. CSU Pueblo wore pink jersey's and auctioned them off to raise money for breast cancer awareness. 

Our dear friend and co-worker Kristin Starcher was honored before the game, as "Starch" continues her battle with breast cancer. Starcher's daughter Mak was the honorary first server, delivering a perfect ace to start the night. 

With the win, the ThunderWolves improve to 11-6 overall, and 5-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. Chadron State College falls to 4-13 overall, and 0-7 in conference play.

CSU Pueblo was led by an offensive onslaught by Kaitly Hall (Colorado Springs, Colo./Falcon) and Rayliene Joens (Elkhorn, Neb./Winona State). 

Hall recorded a career high 20 kills on the evening. What was even more impressive was the fact she hit .432 on the night. Joens had a great night as well, recording 14 kills on the night, while hitting .333. 

Freshman Natalie Hamann (Monument, Colo./Lewis Palmer) anchored the defense for the Pack, recording a career-high 13 digs to lead the ThunderWolves.

The Pack started off hot in the first set, taking an early 7-2 lead which was back from an early tone-setting block from Golden Finch (Albuquerque, N.M./Cal State Bakersfield). Finch inspired the ThunderWolves crowd, and never let down.

CSU Pueblo was able to extend their lead to seven at 20-13 after a couple of kills from Ceanna O'Loughlin (Beaverton, Ore./Jesuit). With a dominant seven-point lead, Chadron State was unable to mount a rally, as the Pack won the set easily 25-17.

The second set was much closer as the Eagles gave the Pack a run for their money, but CSU Pueblo was able to win the second 25-20.

With the sccore tied at 20-20, the ThunderWolves put their foot on the gas, going on a 5-0 run to polish off the Eagles. The run was sparked by kills from Finch, and a set-winning service ace from Hallie Hewlett (Bountiful, Utah/Bountiful).

Chadron State was able to keep the match alive, winning the third set 25-20. The ThunderWolves tried to mount a late rally to sweep the Eagles, but Chadron was able to prevail.

Chadron State led most of the third, extending their lead to seven at one point, but CSU Pueblo rallied to cut the lead to two at 21-19, when Head Coach Austin Albers inserted Taylor Cary (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Rock Canyon) to provide a spark off the bench, which she did. Cary delivered a service ace, and Hall threw down a massive kil to electrify Massari Arena, forcing Chadron State to call a timeout.

The Eagles responded well out of the timeout, going on a 4-1 run to win the set by five points.

Chardon State continued to play well, taking a 12-9 lead in the fourth set, but a timeout from Albers, along with a few substitutions including Kendall Schmitz (Lee's Summit, Mo./Arkansas-Fort Smith), and Josey Nunn (Kingwood, Texas/Porter) proved to be huge for the ThunderWolves.

Schmitz set up two kills, and Nunn scored two straight sevice aces to spark the run. CSU Pueblo tied the game at 13-13, and continued to throw haymakers with the Eagles until the very end.

The ThunderWovles had a three point lead at 20-17, and were able to hold off the Eagles, winning the fourth set 25-21. 

WORDS FROM HEAD COACH AUSTIN ALBERS

"I was pleased with how our ladies battled tonight. Our Dig Pink Match is always special and tonight was no different. We were able to come together to support one of our own, Kristin Starcher, and get back on track as a team with a home W."