PUEBLO, Colo. – The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team returned to the win column Friday evening, snapping a two-match losing streak with a straight-set victory over Westminster University (25-16, 25-19, 28-26) in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action inside Massari Arena.
With the victory, the ThunderWolves improved to 9-9 overall and 4-3 in RMAC play, while Westminster fell to 3-14 overall and 2-5 in conference action.
The Pack was led offensively by junior middle blocker Finja Schul and senior right side Lilly Zwart, who each recorded a match-high 13 kills. Schul turned in a dominant performance at the net, hitting an impressive .632 with just one error on 19 attempts, while adding two solo blocks and two service aces to finish with a match-high 17 points.
Zwart added 13 kills and two block assists, while Brianna Pino chipped in eight kills and a service ace. Emma Luce and Andi Nothdurft each contributed five kills, with Nothdurft adding a team-high four block assists.
Running the ThunderWolves' offense was setter Madison Gardner, who dished out a match-high 35 assists while adding seven digs. Defensively, senior Chinaru Pao anchored the back row with a team-best 15 digs, while Kacee Garcia and Nicole Monge each collected nine.
As a team, CSU Pueblo finished with 45 kills and a .244 hitting percentage, while holding Westminster to just 37 kills and a .133 clip. The ThunderWolves also recorded 56 digs, four service aces and six total team blocks.
The ThunderWolves wasted little time establishing control in the opening set, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage behind an aggressive offensive attack. After Westminster trimmed the deficit to 12-9, CSU Pueblo responded with a commanding 7-0 run, highlighted by three Zwart kills, a Schul service ace and a pair of defensive stops at the net to build a 19-9 lead.
The Pack maintained control down the stretch, with Pino delivering the set-clinching kill to secure a 25-16 opening-set victory. CSU Pueblo hit a blistering .308 in the frame, registering 15 kills against just three attacking errors.
The second set saw Westminster provide more resistance, taking an early 7-6 lead before the ThunderWolves regained momentum. Behind timely kills from Schul, Luce and Zwart, CSU Pueblo worked its way to a 17-13 advantage.
Westminster battled back to within one at 18-17, but the Pack responded by winning four consecutive points to push its lead to 22-17. A Pino kill later gave CSU Pueblo set point before a Westminster attacking error sealed the 25-19 victory and sent the ThunderWolves into the break with a commanding two-set advantage.
The third set proved to be the most competitive of the evening, as Westminster refused to go quietly.
CSU Pueblo appeared poised to cruise to the sweep after building a 21-15 advantage, but the Griffins responded with six consecutive points to even the score at 21-21. Westminster eventually grabbed a 23-22 lead, forcing the ThunderWolves to battle from behind late in the frame.
A kill from Nothdurft tied the contest at 23-23 before Pino delivered a clutch kill to level the score once again at 24-24. Westminster continued to apply pressure, earning opportunities to extend the match, but CSU Pueblo answered each time.
With the score tied at 26-26, Schul came up with a pivotal solo block to give the Pack match point. A Westminster attacking error on the ensuing rally completed the 28-26 victory, securing the straight-set sweep and putting an end to CSU Pueblo's two-match skid.
Westminster was led offensively by Elsa Gilmore, who recorded nine kills, while Jocelyn Grieser added eight. Ava Livolsi paced the Griffins defensively with a match-high 16 digs.
The victory marked an important return to form for the ThunderWolves, who had dropped their previous two conference matches after winning five of their previous six contests.
CSU Pueblo will look to carry Friday's momentum into Saturday evening when the ThunderWolves return to Massari Arena to host Colorado Mesa University at 6 p.m.
Saturday's contest will also feature the return of some familiar faces to Massari Arena, as the ThunderWolves welcome back former members of the Pack volleyball family for a special evening.
The matchup will also serve as Dig Pink Night, with fans encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. The ThunderWolves will don their pink uniforms as they look to make it back-to-back victories in front of their home crowd.
