PUEBLO, Colo. - Colorado State University Pueblo Volleyball is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history, earning the No. 5 seed in the 2025 NCAA Division II South Central Regional. The ThunderWolves will open postseason play on December 4 against No. 4 seed and 20th-ranked West Texas A&M inside MSU Denver's Auraria Event Center in Denver. Match time is to be determined.
MSU Denver claimed the region's top seed and will serve as the tournament host after a 26-3 campaign and an Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championship. The eight-team regional field also includes UCCS, Angelo State, Lubbock Christian, Colorado School of Mines, and Colorado Mesa.
The ThunderWolves enter the NCAA Tournament with a 20-8 record, reaching the 20-win mark for the first time since 2021 and completing the most successful debut season by a head coach in program history under first-year leader Jordan Bruere. The 2025 selection marks the Pack's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance all-time (1996, 1997, 2021, 2022), as CSU Pueblo seeks its first-ever NCAA postseason victory.
CSU Pueblo carries a decorated résumé into the regional behind two of the RMAC's major award winners. Senior outside hitter Caelyn Gunn was named RMAC Player of the Year—the first in CSU Pueblo history—after a standout season on the attack. Junior setter Elena Stankovic earned RMAC Setter of the Year honors, becoming the program's first winner of the award while operating one of the conference's most efficient offenses. Both Gunn and Stankovic were First Team All-RMAC selections. At the same time, middle blocker Golden Finch earned Second Team All-RMAC recognition after finishing among league leaders in hitting percentage and blocks.
The Pack's first-round opponent, West Texas A&M, enters the regional at 22-7 and is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation. The two teams met earlier in the season on September 5 and 6 in Canyon, Texas, where the Buffs won both matches on their home floor. Wednesday's neutral-site match-up in Denver provides a fresh opportunity for the ThunderWolves as they look to reverse the early-season results and advance to the regional semifinals.
"Our team has embraced every challenge this season, and I'm incredibly proud of the growth and competitiveness they have shown from day one," Bruere said. "Earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament is a reflection of their hard work, belief in one another, and commitment to elevating this program. We're excited for the opportunity ahead and ready to compete."
The winner of CSU Pueblo and West Texas A&M will advance to face the winner of No. 1 seed MSU Denver and No. 8 seed Colorado Mesa in one of the regional semifinal matches.
Additional match details, including start time and ticket information, will be released once finalized.
