PUEBLO, Colo. - On an electric Senior Night inside Massari Arena, Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball closed its regular season in commanding fashion, sweeping Fort Lewis College 3–0 on Saturday evening to send its seniors out in style and officially lock in the No. 3 seed for the upcoming RMAC Tournament. The Pack controlled the match from start to finish, earning set victories of 25–22, 25–15 and 25–22.
Before first serve, CSU Pueblo honored four remarkable seniors — Megan Mattingly, Taylor Cary, Golden Finch, and Caelyn Gunn — each of whom has left a defining imprint on the program.
Megan Mattingly, a four-year ThunderWolf from Phoenix, has been the backbone of the Pack defense and a captain who led by example every day. Known for her grit and consistency, she finishes her career with 910 digs, 221 kills, 97 aces, and 36 blocks, along with two RMAC All-Academic honors. Her reliability in serve-receive and her upbeat leadership helped shape the team's identity throughout her time in Pueblo.
Taylor "TC" Cary, the emotional engine of the team, delivered four years of relentless energy and steady improvement. The Highlands Ranch native totaled 280 career kills — including a career-high 16 this season — while adding versatility across the back row and service line. A two-time RMAC All-Academic honoree and D2ADA Achievement Award recipient, Cary's authenticity and competitive fire elevated the entire program.
Golden Finch, a middle blocker from Albuquerque, made her mark as one of the RMAC's most formidable net presences. Over three seasons, she compiled 300 kills and an outstanding 225 blocks, ranking among the league's best in blocks per set this fall. A two-time All-RMAC Honorable Mention selection and CSC Academic All-District honoree, Finch anchored the middle with intelligence, composure, and toughness.
Caelyn Gunn, in just one season at CSU Pueblo after transferring from Arkansas-Fort Smith, became one of the conference's most dominant attackers. The Denton, Texas native recorded 342 kills this fall — averaging 4.02 per set — and surpassed 1,000 career kills earlier in the season. A captain in her lone year with the Pack, Gunn brought immediate leadership, voice, and presence, making a lasting impact both statistically and culturally.
With that emotional backdrop, the ThunderWolves delivered one of their most complete performances of the year. The Pack's offense clicked all night, finishing with 48 kills and a .300 hitting percentage, while the defense held Fort Lewis to .152. Gunn led the way with 17 kills and 12 digs, Cary added 10 kills and two aces, and Lily Zwart and Golden Finch contributed key swings at the pins and in the middle. Setter Elena Stankovic guided the attack with 38 assists, and libero Megan Mattingly anchored the back row with 15 digs.
With the sweep, CSU Pueblo finishes the regular season 19–7 overall and 11–3 in RMAC play, securing the No. 3 seed in next week's 2025 RMAC Volleyball Tournament. The Pack will host No. 6 Westminster on Tuesday, November 18 at 6 p.m. on the RMAC Network. The winner advances to Friday's semifinal round, with the RMAC Championship set for Saturday, November 22.
The tournament bracket is set as follows:
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MSU Denver vs. Adams State
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Colorado School of Mines vs. Colorado Mesa
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UCCS vs. Fort Lewis
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CSU Pueblo vs. Westminster
Beyond the conference race, CSU Pueblo also enters the national postseason conversation with momentum. The Pack sit No. 6 in the latest NCAA South Central Regional rankings, with the top eight earning NCAA Tournament berths.
With six straight wins, a balanced attack, a senior class that helped lift the program to new heights, and a home quarterfinal ahead, the ThunderWolves take a confident stride into the postseason — ready to make noise both in the RMAC and beyond.
