RAPID CITY, S.D. - The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team (6-4, 2-0 RMAC) continues Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play this weekend with a South Dakota road trip. The ThunderWolves, fresh off back-to-back sweeps over Regis and Chadron State, will look to extend their four-match win streak when they face South Dakota Mines Friday night at 6:00 p.m. in Rapid City, followed by Black Hills State Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Spearfish.
Friday – at South Dakota Mines (2-8, 2-0 RMAC)
The Hardrockers may be just 2-8 overall, but they've turned it on in conference play, opening 2-0 with wins over Western Colorado and Fort Lewis. South Dakota Mines is paced by Morgan Daugherty (120 kills, 3.16/set, .243 hitting) and Lexi Glendenning (115 kills, 3.11/set). Setter Hannah Joseph directs the offense with 324 assists (8.5/set), while libero Hannah Benes anchors the defense at 4.5 digs per set.
The Pack counter with firepower in Caelyn Gunn, who not only leads CSU Pueblo with 147 kills (4.45/set), but also leads the entire RMAC in kills per set and ranks No. 9 nationally in the category. Setter Elena Stankovic (254 assists, 9.4/set) keeps the offense efficient, while CSU Pueblo's defense has been stout, holding opponents to .215 hitting while averaging just over 2.0 blocks per set.
Key matchup: Pueblo's balanced attack against Mines' front line of Daugherty and Glendenning.
Saturday – at Black Hills State (4-6, 1-1 RMAC)
The Yellow Jackets sit at 4-6 overall, 1-1 in RMAC play, highlighted by a win over Western Colorado last weekend. Emily Freeland leads the offense with 114 kills (3.08/set), while Carsyn Mettler (75 kills, .247 hitting) adds depth. Defensively, Ellie Thomas is a force in the back row with 167 digs (4.5/set), and setter Elena Atkinson runs the offense with 190 assists (5.4/set).
The ThunderWolves' frontline of Finja Schul (.297 hitting, 27 blocks) and Golden Finch (.301 hitting, 27 blocks) will be critical in slowing down Freeland and Mettler, while Gunn and Taylor Cary (76 kills, .207 hitting) give CSU Pueblo multiple scoring threats on the pins.
Key matchup: Pueblo's block and back-row defense against Freeland's high-volume offense.
What's at Stake
With both games on the road, CSU Pueblo has an opportunity to prove it can carry its recent home success into hostile environments. Two wins would keep the Pack undefeated in RMAC play and establish them as early contenders in the conference race.
