Denver, Colo. - The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team will head north up I-25 this weekend for a pair of neutral-site matchups in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Power Pod Play, hosted by Regis University. The ThunderWolves will take on Colorado Christian University Friday at 5:00 p.m. before squaring off with Regis University on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
While both contests feature RMAC opponents, they will not count toward the Pack's conference record (7-3) but will impact their overall and regional records. CSU Pueblo enters the weekend at 13-7 overall, sitting in fourth place in the RMAC standings and in a strong position to make a push toward the NCAA Tournament.
The ThunderWolves began RMAC play on a tear, opening the league slate with seven straight wins before running into a tough three-match road stretch against Colorado Mesa, UCCS, and No. 12 MSU Denver. Despite the recent skid, first-year head coach and CSU Pueblo alum Jordan Bruere has the Pack playing inspired, balanced volleyball and positioned among the league's best on both sides of the net.
Under Bruere's leadership, CSU Pueblo has established itself as one of the RMAC's most complete and defensively dominant teams. Junior setter Elena Stankovic ranks second in the RMAC in assists per set at 9.36, directing a balanced and efficient ThunderWolves offense. Senior middle hitter Golden Finch and junior middle hitter Finja Schul have anchored the Pack's blocking presence, ranking first and second in the conference in blocks per set. Finch leads the RMAC at 1.13 blocks per set, while Schul follows closely behind at 1.08. Offensively, senior outside hitter Caelyn Gunn continues to shine as one of the premier attackers in Division II, ranking second in the RMAC in both kills per set (4.11) and points per set (4.42).
The ThunderWolves have already seen success against both pod opponents this season. The Pack swept Regis twice earlier this year - first in the conference opener on September 19 and again on October 3—and defeated Colorado Christian 3-1 on October 7 during the team's annual Dig Pink Night inside Massari Arena.
Scouting Colorado Christian (9-11, 4-6 RMAC)
The Cougars enter the weekend sitting in 10th place in the RMAC standings, looking to climb into the top eight to secure a spot in the conference tournament. Colorado Christian features a balanced offense led by Connelly Kilgore (3.20 kills/set, .222 hitting percentage) and Renee Phillips (2.77 kills/set, .349 hitting percentage), while setter Krista Traynor ranks among the league leaders with 9.17 assists per set. Defensively, libero Kristina House anchors the back row with 4.13 digs per set, and the Cougars average nearly two blocks per frame.
Scouting Regis (2-18, 2-8 RMAC)
Regis continues to rebuild under first-year head coach Joel List, who has taken over one of the RMAC's most tradition-rich programs. The Rangers enter the weekend 2-18 overall and 2-8 in conference play but have shown gradual progress throughout the fall. Outside hitter Isabella Smith leads the Rangers with 171 kills (2.67 per set), while middle blocker Braiziah Dixon adds 106 kills and 58 blocks with a .251 hitting percentage. Setter Bailey Nichols averages 6.99 assists per set, and libero Krissy Brei leads the team with nearly three digs per frame.
The Pack Outlook
Despite recent challenges, the ThunderWolves remain battle-tested and poised for a strong weekend showing. CSU Pueblo continues to rely on its veteran core—Gunn's offensive firepower, Finch and Schul's dominance at the net, and the steady command of Stankovic in the setter role. Senior libero Megan Mattingly anchors the defense with 3.77 digs per set and adds stability in serve receive.
As CSU Pueblo prepares for Power Pod Play, the focus remains on execution, rhythm, and rediscovering the form that propelled them to a 7-0 start in conference play. Strong performances in Denver this weekend could bolster the Pack's regional résumé and build confidence for the stretch run toward postseason play.
