PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team returns to Massari Arena this weekend for two pivotal Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) matchups as the ThunderWolves welcome a pair of nationally recognized opponents to Pueblo during Homecoming Weekend.
The Pack will open the weekend on Friday, Oct. 16, against the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) at 5 p.m. before returning to the court on Saturday, Oct. 17, to face defending NCAA Division II National Champion Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) at 7 p.m.
Both opponents are receiving votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top 25 Poll, released Oct. 12. UCCS received nine votes, while MSU Denver collected seven, setting the stage for a challenging weekend against two of the RMAC's premier programs.
Friday's contest will serve as Student-Athlete Night and part of CSU Pueblo's Homecoming festivities, while Saturday's showdown against the defending national champions will feature a White Out inside Massari Arena.
With postseason positioning becoming increasingly important, the ThunderWolves will look to capitalize on their home-court advantage and secure valuable conference victories as the regular season enters its final stretch.
A Look at the ThunderWolves
CSU Pueblo enters the weekend with a 9-10 overall record and a 4-4 mark in RMAC play under second-year head coach Jordan Bruere.
The ThunderWolves are coming off a weekend split inside Massari Arena, earning a straight-set victory over Westminster University before falling in four closely contested sets to Colorado Mesa University.
Against Westminster, the Pack showcased its offensive firepower, with senior right-side hitter Lilly Zwart and senior middle blocker Finja Schul recording 13 kills apiece in the three-set victory.
The following evening, CSU Pueblo battled Colorado Mesa in a competitive four-set contest, winning the opening set 25-18 before dropping the next three by narrow margins. The ThunderWolves held a 24-22 lead late in the third set and pushed the fourth set to 25-23, demonstrating their ability to compete with one of the conference's top programs.
One of CSU Pueblo's biggest strengths throughout the 2026 season has been its presence at the net, where the ThunderWolves have established themselves as one of the nation's top blocking teams.
The Pack has recorded 190 total blocks this season while averaging 2.53 blocks per set, providing a significant defensive presence against opposing attacks.
Leading the defensive effort is Schul, who has totaled 90 blocks while also contributing 161 kills and a team-leading .327 hitting percentage. Schul has emerged as one of the conference's premier middle blockers and has consistently provided a spark on both sides of the net.
Joining Schul in the middle is junior Andi Nothdurft, who has collected 83 total blocks and 101 kills this season. Together, Schul and Nothdurft have formed one of the RMAC's most productive blocking combinations and will play important roles against two talented offensive teams this weekend.
Offensively, Zwart leads the ThunderWolves with 224 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Brianna Pino has provided another reliable attacking option.
In the back row, senior libero Chinaru Pao has anchored the ThunderWolves' defensive efforts, collecting a team-leading 308 digs while providing veteran leadership throughout the season.
The Pack will look to utilize its strong blocking presence and balanced offensive attack as it prepares for two nationally recognized opponents.
Scouting the Opposition: (RV) UCCS
The ThunderWolves will open the weekend against a talented UCCS squad that enters Friday's contest with a 12-6 overall record and a 7-1 mark in RMAC play. The Mountain Lions are receiving votes in the latest AVCA Division II Top 25 Poll and have won four consecutive matches heading into the weekend.
UCCS is led by fifth-year head coach Tara Hittle, who has transformed the Mountain Lions into one of the RMAC's top programs since taking over in January 2022.
Hittle guided UCCS to a historic 2025 campaign, leading the Mountain Lions to a program-record 26-4 overall record and their first-ever RMAC Regular Season Championship after finishing 13-1 in conference play. The Mountain Lions also earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA South Central Regional and finished a perfect 13-0 on their home court.
For her efforts, Hittle was named the 2025 RMAC Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in UCCS program history to earn the distinction.
On the court, the Mountain Lions are led offensively by junior outside hitter Payton Tompkins, who has recorded a team-high 257 kills while averaging 3.72 kills per set. The Dallas, Texas, native is hitting .267 on the season and has added 174 digs and 21 service aces, providing UCCS with a dynamic presence on both sides of the ball.
In the middle, sophomore Sydney Hyde has emerged as another key contributor, recording 152 kills on an impressive .301 hitting percentage while adding 66 total blocks. Senior middle blocker Nicole Himebauch has also been a force at the net, totaling 140 kills and a team-leading 70 blocks while hitting .278.
The Mountain Lions also feature senior outside hitter Sydnee Walker, who has tallied 116 kills and 35 blocks this season. Tompkins, Hyde, Himebauch and Walker were all selected to the 2026 Preseason All-RMAC Team, giving UCCS four preseason honorees, the most of any conference program.
Directing the UCCS offense is freshman setter Aubrey Miller, who leads the Mountain Lions with 378 assists, averaging 5.64 per set. Defensively, junior libero Alysse Marcoso anchors the back row with a team-leading 249 digs, averaging 4.15 per set.
As a team, UCCS enters the weekend hitting .232 while averaging 12.86 kills and 2.15 blocks per set.
Friday's matchup will mark the second meeting between the two programs this season, as CSU Pueblo previously defeated UCCS in a thrilling five-set match on Sept. 26 during the nonconference RMAC Regional Pod in Colorado Springs.
In that contest, the ThunderWolves overcame a 2-1 deficit to secure the victory, using a strong defensive effort and 15 total team blocks to defeat the Mountain Lions on their home floor.
With conference standings tightening and both programs looking to strengthen their postseason positioning, Friday's rematch inside Massari Arena will be another important opportunity for the ThunderWolves.
Scouting the Opposition: (RV) MSU Denver
The ThunderWolves will conclude their Homecoming Weekend on Saturday against the defending NCAA Division II National Champion MSU Denver Roadrunners, who enter the weekend receiving votes in the latest AVCA Division II Top 25 Poll.
MSU Denver enters the weekend with a 12-6 overall record and a 7-1 mark in RMAC play, having won four consecutive matches, including back-to-back straight-set victories over Chadron State and Regis University last weekend.
The Roadrunners are coming off a historic 2025 campaign that saw them capture the program's first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship after finishing with a remarkable 32-3 overall record and a 13-1 conference mark.
MSU Denver swept the RMAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships before claiming the NCAA South Central Regional title and advancing to the national championship tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Roadrunners defeated Wingate in five sets in the national quarterfinals, swept previously unbeaten and top-ranked Tampa in the national semifinals, and defeated Concordia-St. Paul in four sets to capture the national crown.
The championship marked the first NCAA volleyball national title in MSU Denver history and the first ever won by an RMAC volleyball program.
The Roadrunners are under the direction of first-year head coach Stacie Meisner, who took over the program in April following the departure of longtime head coach Jenny Glenn. Meisner arrived in Denver after serving as head coach at Alaska Anchorage, where she was named the 2025 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Coach of the Year after leading the Seawolves to a conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
On the court, the Roadrunners are led offensively by sophomore outside hitter Brooke Gennerman, who has recorded a team-leading 261 kills while averaging an impressive 4.28 kills per set. Gennerman, a 2025 Second Team All-RMAC selection and member of the Roadrunners' national championship squad, is hitting .270 this season and has added 146 digs and 20 service aces.
Joining Gennerman offensively is Hayden Liebsack, who ranks second on the team with 167 kills and averages 2.93 kills per set while hitting .241. Liebsack also leads MSU Denver with 23 service aces, providing another weapon in the Roadrunners' offensive attack.
In the middle, Kamdyn Scott and Mayah Pridgett have provided additional offensive production, combining for 246 kills. Scott has recorded 134 kills and 41 total blocks, while Pridgett has added 112 kills on a team-leading .297 hitting percentage and 45 total blocks.
Defensively, Trynity Martin has been a force at the net, leading the Roadrunners with 55 total blocks, including six solo stops. Martin has also contributed 96 kills while hitting .250.
Directing the offense is setter GabriElle Brewer, who has dished out 607 assists, averaging 9.63 per set, while adding 23 service aces. Brewer was a member of MSU Denver's 2025 national championship team and has continued to be instrumental in the Roadrunners' offensive success.
In the back row, Mia Accomazzo anchors the defense with a team-leading 260 digs, averaging 4.13 per set. Accomazzo earned a spot on the 2026 Preseason All-RMAC Team after helping the Roadrunners capture last season's national championship.
As a team, MSU Denver has been one of the conference's most productive offensive units, averaging 13.86 kills and 12.81 assists per set while hitting .241. The Roadrunners have also recorded 112 service aces, averaging 1.78 per set, and are holding opponents to a .192 hitting percentage.
Saturday's showdown presents a significant challenge for the ThunderWolves, who will look to utilize their strong defensive presence at the net to slow down a talented MSU Denver attack.
With the defending national champions coming to Massari Arena and valuable conference positioning on the line, CSU Pueblo will have another opportunity to make a statement in front of its home crowd.
Homecoming Weekend Promotions
In addition to two important RMAC contests, CSU Pueblo will celebrate Homecoming Weekend with special promotions on both Friday and Saturday inside Massari Arena.
Friday's matchup against UCCS will serve as Student-Athlete Night in conjunction with CSU Pueblo's Homecoming festivities. ThunderWolves student-athletes from across the athletic department are encouraged to attend and support the volleyball program in a crucial conference matchup against the Mountain Lions.
With postseason implications on the line, the Pack will look to create an electric atmosphere inside Massari Arena as it seeks another victory over UCCS.
On Saturday, CSU Pueblo will host its annual White Out against defending national champion MSU Denver. Fans are encouraged to wear white and help create an intimidating home-court atmosphere as the ThunderWolves look to knock off the reigning national champions and secure another valuable conference victory.
Postseason Positioning on the Line
As the RMAC regular season enters its final weeks, the importance of every conference match continues to grow.
For CSU Pueblo, this weekend represents an opportunity to gain ground in the conference standings and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
The ThunderWolves are seeking a return trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament after finishing 20-9 overall in 2025 and qualifying for the national postseason for the first time since 2022.
A pair of strong performances against nationally recognized opposition would provide a significant boost for a CSU Pueblo squad determined to finish the regular season on a high note.
Up Next
Following this weekend's contests, the ThunderWolves will prepare for another challenging weekend of RMAC action as they travel to Denver for rematches against UCCS and MSU Denver.
CSU Pueblo is scheduled to face UCCS on Friday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. before taking on MSU Denver on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.
