PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team celebrated Senior Night in winning fashion Saturday evening, sweeping New Mexico Highlands University in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-17) at Massari Arena. The ThunderWolves delivered a strong all-around performance, hitting .268 as a team while recording 42 kills and nine total blocks to improve to 11-14 overall and 5-7 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
Prior to Saturday's contest, the ThunderWolves honored five seniors for their contributions to the program: Kacee Garcia, Chinaru Pao, Grace Helzer, Kendall Schmitz and Andi Nothdurft. The five seniors helped guide CSU Pueblo to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025, while also playing an integral role in the ThunderWolves' perfect 10-0 home record at Massari Arena during the 2025 campaign.
Sophomore Brianna Pino led the ThunderWolves offensively with a match-high 12 kills on a .265 hitting percentage, while Lilly Zwart added nine kills and three solo blocks. Natalie Mobley provided an efficient offensive performance, finishing with eight kills on 16 attempts and a .438 hitting percentage. Nothdurft and Finja Schul each contributed six kills, with Schul hitting an impressive .444 while recording four total blocks.
Senior libero Chinaru Pao anchored the ThunderWolves defensively, collecting a match-high 19 digs and two service aces. Senior setter Kendall Schmitz directed the CSU Pueblo offense with 33 assists, 10 digs and two block assists, recording a double-double in the victory.
The ThunderWolves faced an early challenge in the opening set as New Mexico Highlands jumped out to a 10-4 advantage. CSU Pueblo gradually chipped away at the deficit before taking its first lead at 14-13. With the score tied at 17, the Pack rattled off six consecutive points behind Pao's serving to build a 23-17 advantage. CSU Pueblo eventually claimed the opening frame, 25-19.
In the second set, CSU Pueblo established control early, building a 16-9 lead before extending its advantage to 20-11. However, the Cowgirls battled back with a late scoring run, eventually evening the frame at 21-21. The ThunderWolves responded with four of the final five points, including a kill from Schul and a set-ending solo block by Zwart, to secure the 25-22 victory and a commanding 2-0 match lead.
CSU Pueblo carried that momentum into the third set, jumping ahead 7-2 following a strong offensive stretch from Pino and Schul. The ThunderWolves continued to build their advantage, leading by as many as eight points at 18-10. New Mexico Highlands attempted to close the gap late, but the Pack maintained control before Pino delivered the match-winning kill off an assist from Schmitz, completing the sweep with a 25-17 victory.
The ThunderWolves finished the evening with a .268 hitting percentage, including a match-best .316 mark in the third set. Defensively, CSU Pueblo limited New Mexico Highlands to a .117 hitting percentage while holding a 9-5 advantage in total team blocks.
New Mexico Highlands fell to 3-22 overall and 1-11 in RMAC play with the loss. Aziza Morris led the Cowgirls with nine kills, while Becca Wiersema collected 19 digs.
Up Next
The ThunderWolves (11-14, 5-7 RMAC) will conclude the 2026 regular season with a pair of crucial road contests against Western Colorado and Fort Lewis. With postseason hopes hanging in the balance, CSU Pueblo must win both matches to have a chance at securing a berth in the RMAC Tournament. The Pack will look to carry the momentum from Saturday's Senior Night sweep into its final two regular-season matches as it battles for a spot in the conference postseason.
