CANYON, Texas – The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team showed flashes of promise Saturday afternoon but couldn't sustain momentum, falling in three sets to West Texas A&M (25-16, 25-19, 25-18) inside the raucous WTAMU Fieldhouse.

The ThunderWolves (0-2) opened the first set with confidence, grabbing a quick 2-0 lead after kills from Andi Nothdurft and Caelyn Gunn. But the No. 8 ranked Lady Buffs (1-0), one of Division II's perennial powerhouses, countered with a decisive run fueled by outside hitter Emma Becker, who finished with 15 kills on the day. Despite a late push from the Pack, West Texas A&M closed the set 25-16.

In the second frame, CSU Pueblo found more rhythm offensively. Gunn shouldered the load with five kills, while Taylor Cary added timely swings at the net. The ThunderWolves fought back from a 20-13 deficit to trim the margin to 22-17, but once again the Lady Buffs delivered late, taking the set 25-19.

The third set featured the Pack's most competitive stretch. Cary ignited the offense with five kills in the frame, and outside hitter Megan Mattingly turned in multiple highlight-reel digs to keep rallies alive. A kill from Gunn pulled CSU Pueblo within 19-17, forcing a WT timeout. However, the Lady Buffs regrouped and closed the match on a 6-1 run to finish the sweep.

Gunn recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 12 digs, while Cary added nine kills. Elena Stankovic dished out 23 assists and picked up 10 digs of her own. Mattingly anchored the defense with a match-high 13 digs.

CSU Pueblo hit .110 as a team and tallied 29 kills, while West Texas A&M countered with 46 kills at a .289 clip and controlled the net with eight total blocks.

The ThunderWolves will look to bounce back tomorrow as they continue tournament play on the road.

By the Numbers

• Gunn led CSU Pueblo with 10 kills.

• Cary and Finja Schul combined for seven kills and strong blocking presence.

• Stankovic distributed 23 assists, while Mattingly's defensive effort kept rallies alive.

• WT's Emma Becker and Bromli Watson combined for 34 kills to pace the Lady Buffs' attack.