PUEBLO, Colo. - The lights were brighter than usual in Massari Arena Tuesday night — and so was the spotlight, shining squarely on Caelyn Gunn. In a showdown between two RMAC squads, the Pack's senior outside hitter delivered a performance for the ages, dropping a school-record 29 kills to carry Colorado State University Pueblo past I-25 rival UCCS in a thrilling five-set upset.

The night also marked the ThunderWolves' annual So Long Summer Match, and the atmosphere was unforgettable. With fans decked out in their best summer gear — from beach shirts to sunglasses — the arena was buzzing with energy that never wavered, even as the match stretched into a fifth set.

Entering the clash, the Mountain Lions were undefeated, drawing respect (and votes) in the national rankings. Because it was a regional pod game, it wouldn't affect conference standings — but it would count toward overall records, a fact not lost on either side as the stakes were high.

Pueblo lost the first set 22–25, but the roar of the summer-themed crowd and Gunn's firepower helped shift momentum. The Pack answered in set two (25–19), only for UCCS to push ahead in three (19–25). The Pack, however, refused to wilt. In set four, they clawed back (25–18) to force a decisive fifth set.

From the jump in set five, the Pack imposed their will. Gunn continued to swing hard, and behind her were key contributions all around. Taylor Cary added 16 kills at a .278 clip, and a career high. Setter Elena Stankovic kept the offense humming with a career-high 58 assists, and she also dug 13 balls for a double-double. On the back line, libero Megan Mattingly anchored the defense with 20 digs, one of five ThunderWolves in double figures. As a team, Pueblo racked up 87 digs and 10 total blocks, stifling the UCCS attack down the stretch.

The Mountain Lions weren't without firepower of their own, finishing with 65 kills at a .216 hitting percentage. But Pueblo answered nearly every push, outhitting UCCS at a .249 clip with fewer errors and more balance. The Pack also controlled the service game with three aces to UCCS's one, and won the net battle by out-blocking their rivals 10–7.

When the final point dropped — a 15–11 close to the fifth — the arena erupted. Pueblo had delivered UCCS its first loss of the season.

It wasn't just the win that made the night special — it was how. Gunn's 29 kills cemented a new single-match record for Pueblo's program. She attacked with conviction and consistency, refusing to back down. Meanwhile, her teammates complemented her effort with tenacious defense, well-timed blocks, and scrappy digs that kept rallies alive.

This victory extended Pueblo's win streak to five straight and upped their mark to nine wins in the last 10 matches. Though it won't budge the RMAC standings, this win sends a message: the Pack are not just riding momentum — they're carving out identity and confidence, one signature performance at a time