PUEBLO, Colo. - The red-hot Colorado State University Pueblo Volleyball team is back on the road this weekend, looking to remain unbeaten in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play (6-0) as the ThunderWolves travel across the continental divide for a pair of key matchups.
The Pack will face Westminster University on Friday at 6:00 p.m. in Salt Lake City before heading to Grand Junction for a Saturday showdown at 3:00 p.m. against Colorado Mesa University.
Pack Rolling West
CSU Pueblo (12-4 overall, 6-0 RMAC) has been dominant to start league play and is currently one of the hottest teams in the country, winning eight straight matches and 12 of their last 13 overall. The ThunderWolves are second in the RMAC in blocks per set (2.35) and rank among the league's top defensive squads, holding opponents to just a .183 hitting percentage.
Offensively, the Pack continues to be led by junior outside hitter Caelyn Gunn, who has been one of the most dangerous attackers in the country, averaging 4.29 kills per set with a .242 hitting clip. Middle blockers Finja Schul (.282) and Golden Finch (.315) have anchored the front line, while setter Elena Stankovic continues to orchestrate the offense efficiently, averaging 9.5 assists per set.
Defensively, Megan Mattingly has been a rock in the back row, averaging nearly 4.0 digs per set, while Taylor Cary provides a two-way spark at the net with 2.48 kills per set and a .256 hitting percentage.
Leading the charge in her first season at the helm is head coach Jordan Bruere, a former CSU Pueblo volleyball alum and standout for the Pack. Bruere has proven to be a great successor to former head coach Austin Albers, guiding the ThunderWolves with poise and purpose. Before returning home to Pueblo, Bruere spent the past two seasons at Western Colorado University, where she built up the Mountaineers program and helped lead them to the RMAC Tournament last season.
Scouting Westminster
Westminster (10-6, 4-4 RMAC) enters the weekend looking to build momentum after a five-set win over Western Colorado last week. The Griffins in years past have been one of the league's toughest teams to face on the road, but this year they are 0-3 at home this season.
Senior Sadie Parrish leads the Griffins' attack with 2.62 kills per set, while Mailei Myers has been a dominant force at the net, hitting .301 and averaging just under one block per set. Westminster as a team averages 12.1 kills per set and 2.0 blocks per set, showing strong balance across both phases.
Scouting Colorado Mesa
Saturday's matchup will feature another challenge as CSU Pueblo visits Colorado Mesa (10-5, 4-2 RMAC), a perennial powerhouse that has proven tough both at home and on the road.
The Mavericks are led by former CSU Pueblo outside hitter Sadie Scoville, who averages 3.00 kills per set, and Henley Madsen, who adds 2.66 kills per set with a .299 hitting mark. CMU is one of the top hitting teams in the RMAC, boasting a .255 team hitting percentage, while setter Ashlyn Tafoya averages nearly six assists per set.
Colorado Mesa is led by head coach Austin Albers, who is in his first season at the helm for the Mavericks. Albers is no stranger to the Pack, having spent six years at CSU Pueblo where he took the ThunderWolves to great heights and helped put the program on the national map, guiding the Pack to great RMACÂ success, NCAA Tournament appearances, and historic success during his tenure.
Saturday will mark the first matchup between Albers and his former squad, adding an extra layer of emotion and familiarity to what's expected to be one of the weekend's marquee RMAC showdowns.
Four Mavericks on the 2025 roster transferred to CMU to continue playing under Albers after starting their collegiate careers at CSU Pueblo. Saturday's match will give that group a chance to compete against and reconnect with many of their former teammates.
Sadie Scoville was a three-time All-RMAC performer and a 2023 Honorable Mention AVCA All-American during her time in Pueblo. She currently leads the Mavericks in kills (168), digs (148), and service aces (15) this season.
Macy Wood sits second on the Mesa squad in blocks (32) after playing two seasons with the ThunderWolves.
Kaitlyn Hall, who was the 2024 RMAC Freshman of the Year and a Second Team All-RMAC selection for CSU Pueblo last season, is currently sidelined due to injury.
Hallie Hewlett is redshirting this season after leading the ThunderWolves in assists and service aces as a freshman in 2024.
Defensively, Mesa has been stingy, averaging 15.3 digs per set and 2.1 blocks per set, holding opponents to a .162 hitting percentage.
What's at Stake
The Pack sit alone atop the RMAC standings by half a game and will look to strengthen their grip on first place heading into the second half of conference play. With a pair of tough road tests against Utah-based opponents, CSU Pueblo will aim to extend its winning streak to nine matches and continue its bid for an RMAC regular-season title.
