DENVER, Colo. - Colorado State University Pueblo Volleyball will step onto the national stage Thursday night with a historic opportunity ahead of them. The fifth-seeded ThunderWolves face No. 20 West Texas A&M at 7 p.m. inside MSU Denver's Auraria Event Center, with a spot in the NCAA South Central Regional Semifinals on the line.

For CSU Pueblo, the mission is clear: chase the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament win. For West Texas A&M, the trip to Denver represents another chapter in one of Division II's most storied postseason legacies. And for both programs, Thursday's matchup marks the continuation of a season-long journey — one that has shaped both teams into regional contenders.

A Program on the Rise

The ThunderWolves enter at 20–8, their best season since 2021 and the strongest debut coaching year in program history under Jordan Bruere. CSU Pueblo posted an 11–3 RMAC record, went a perfect 10–0 at home, and performed well in tournament environments with a 4–2 neutral-site record.

The Pack's depth, consistency, and defensive reliability have transformed them into one of the region's most balanced teams — and one fully capable of competing at a national level.

Award-Winning Firepower: Gunn, Stankovic, and Finch Lead the Way

Just hours before the tournament's opening round, CSU Pueblo added to its momentum as Caelyn Gunn, Elena Stankovic, and Golden Finch were all named to the All-South Central Region Team.

Gunn, the RMAC Player of the Year, leads the Pack with 391 kills (3.99 per set) and more than 1,100 attacks this season. Her ability to score in crucial moments has been a driving force for the offense.

Stankovic, the RMAC Setter of the Year, has produced 898 assists (9.76 per set), 36 aces, and 2.30 digs per set, while also hitting .308 on setter dumps. Her composure and tempo control remain central to Pueblo's identity.

Finch adds dominant play in the middle with 179 kills, a .353 hitting percentage, and 100 total blocks — making her one of the most efficient and reliable middles in the region.

Depth and Balance Define the Pack

Supporting Pueblo's standout trio are vital contributors such as Taylor Cary (243 kills, .221 hitting) and Finja Schul (176 kills, .296 hitting). Their consistency gives the Pack a multi-dimensional offense capable of attacking from multiple angles.

As a unit, CSU Pueblo hits .237 and averages 13.2 kills per set. The Pack's ability to spread the floor, vary tempo, and find scoring from all positions is one of the keys to their postseason success.

A Defense Built for Postseason Survival

The ThunderWolves' defensive structure has been a defining strength all season long.
The Pack enter with 1629 digs (16.62 per set) and 222.5 total blocks (2.27 per set), while holding opponents to just .181 hitting.

Their ability to neutralize opposing attackers, win extended rallies, and transition quickly into offense has allowed them to remain competitive in every match this season.

Understanding the Opponent: No. 20 West Texas A&M

West Texas A&M makes the trip to Denver with a 22–7 record and a national ranking, continuing the tradition of a program long recognized among Division II Volleyball's elite.

A New Era Under Head Coach Terry Gamble

First-year head coach Terry Gamble took over the program on February 4, 2025, arriving from Blinn College with one of the nation's most decorated junior-college résumés. At Blinn, Gamble engineered a 38–4 season, a perfect 14–0 Region XIV record, and a Region XIV Tournament championship in 2024–25, guiding the Buccaneers to their fifth straight NJCAA National Tournament appearance.

His championship experience and seasoned leadership have added new structure to a WTAMU roster already built on talent.

Offensive Firepower

WTAMU's offense is powered by balanced hitting from several key contributors.
The Buffs hit .244 and average 13.35 kills per set, led by:

• Currie Marusak (3.57 kills per set)

• Emma Becker (3.10 kills per set)

• Kaycee Cavanaugh (2.36 kills per set)

This trio has fueled one of the region's most effective offenses.

A Dominant Blocking Front

At the net, the Buffs present a formidable challenge with 260.5 total blocks (2.48 per set) and 96 solo blocks. Middle blocker Taytum Stow highlights the unit with 143 total blocks (1.36 per set) and remains one of the most impactful defenders in the South Central Region.

Back-Row Stability

WTAMU's defensive presence is led by libero Hannah Pemberton, who has collected 382 digs (3.64 per set), anchoring one of the region's strongest back rows.

A Look at the Series

Thursday night marks the 11th all-time meeting between the Lady Buffs and ThunderWolves in a series dating back to 1980. West Texas A&M leads the series 10–0 and has controlled the matchup historically.

This will be the first-ever postseason meeting between the two programs and only the second matchup in Denver. The previous meeting in the Mile High City came on September 5, 1998, when WTAMU swept CSU Pueblo during the Colorado Premier.

The teams will meet for the third time this season, following two WTAMU sweeps on September 5 and 6 during the BritKare Lady Buff Classic in Canyon.

Lady Buffs in the NCAA Tournament

West Texas A&M enters the week as one of the most accomplished postseason programs in Division II Volleyball. This year marks the program's 32nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the fifth most in Division II history.

The Lady Buffs hold a 66-27 all-time NCAA Tournament record, the third most wins in Division II history. Their postseason résumé includes four national championships in 1990, 1991, 1997, and 2022.

Senior Leadership

WTAMU benefits from the presence of two experienced postseason veterans in seniors Emma Becker and Taytum Stow, the final remaining members of the Lady Buffs' 2022 National Championship squad. Together, they carry a remarkable 12–2 career NCAA Tournament record, with two South Central Regional championships and two national title match appearances.

Their leadership and experience provide a strong foundation for WTAMU entering Thursday's matchup.

Pueblo's Advantage in a "Neutral" Site

While the NCAA designates Thursday's contest as a neutral-site match, the reality favors CSU Pueblo. Pueblo is located just 100 miles from Denver, providing convenience, familiarity, and the likelihood of strong fan support.

The Pack are 4–2 at neutral sites this season, while West Texas A&M is 1–3, with multiple losses coming against nationally ranked programs. For the first time this season, CSU Pueblo and WTAMU will meet on equal footing — a far different setting than their earlier matchups in Canyon, where the Buffs went 15–0 at home.

Key Storylines to Watch

1. A Different Matchup Than September

The two early-season meetings occurred before the Pack found their rhythm and on WTAMU's undefeated home floor. Now, CSU Pueblo enters with increased experience, confidence, and an advantage in location.

2. A Clash of Elite Talent

Gunn, Stankovic, and Finch lead Pueblo's attack and defense, while Marusak, Becker, Cavanaugh, and Stow headline a powerful WTAMU roster.

3. Statistical Parity

Kills per set: WT 13.4 | CSUP 13.2
Blocks per set: WT 2.48 | CSUP 2.27
Digs per set: WT 16.0 | CSUP 16.6
Hitting percentage: WT .244 | CSUP .237

Nearly every metric points toward a tightly contested match with long rallies and momentum swings.

What's at Stake

A victory would mark CSU Pueblo's first NCAA Tournament win, a signature victory over a Top-20 opponent, and a defining moment in Jordan Bruere's debut season. The winner advances to Friday's regional semifinal against either MSU Denver or Colorado Mesa.

Match Information

NCAA South Central Region – First Round
No. 5 CSU Pueblo vs. No. 4 No. 20 West Texas A&M
Thursday, December 4 | 7 PM
Auraria Event Center – Denver, Colorado