DURANGO, Colo. (Nov. 7, 2026) – The Colorado State University Pueblo volleyball team saw its 2026 season come to a heartbreaking conclusion Saturday evening, as the ThunderWolves fell in a hard-fought five-set battle to Fort Lewis College (16-25, 25-15, 31-29, 19-25, 11-15) at Whalen Gymnasium.
With the loss, CSU Pueblo concludes its second season under head coach Jordan Bruere with a 12-15 overall record and a 6-8 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, narrowly missing out on a berth in the eight-team RMAC Tournament.
The ThunderWolves entered the final weekend of the regular season needing victories in both road matches to keep their postseason hopes alive. After sweeping Western Colorado in Gunnison on Friday evening, the Pack traveled to Durango with an opportunity to secure the conference's eighth and final tournament berth.
Despite a resilient effort that saw CSU Pueblo rally from a first-set defeat and claim a thrilling 31-29 victory in the third set, the Skyhawks responded by winning the final two frames to end the ThunderWolves' postseason aspirations.
Fort Lewis closes the regular season with a 15-11 overall record and an 8-6 conference mark.
Saturday's Season Finale
Senior outside hitter Lilly Zwart and sophomore Brianna Pino led the ThunderWolves offensively, recording 17 kills apiece. Zwart finished with a .279 hitting percentage, six digs and three block assists, while Pino contributed four digs.
Natalie Mobley added 12 kills and four block assists, while Finja Schul registered eight kills and a match-high seven total blocks, including four solo rejections.
Senior setter Kendall Schmitz delivered one of her strongest all-around performances of the season, finishing with 46 assists, 21 digs, three kills and two total blocks.
Defensively, senior libero Chinaru Pao matched Schmitz with a team-high 21 digs, while Delanna Harper added 11 digs. The ThunderWolves finished with 82 digs and 14 total team blocks, compared to 70 digs and six blocks for Fort Lewis.
The Skyhawks opened the match by taking the first set, 25-16, behind an efficient offensive performance that saw the home team hit .400.
CSU Pueblo responded emphatically in the second frame, using its defensive presence at the net to take control. The ThunderWolves built a 13-6 advantage before extending their lead to 21-11. A combined block from Schul and Schmitz sealed the 25-15 victory and evened the match at one set apiece.
The third set proved to be the most dramatic of the evening, as both teams battled through a back-and-forth frame featuring several lead changes and extended rallies.
Trailing 23-22 late in the set, the ThunderWolves fought back and eventually earned an opportunity to close the frame. Fort Lewis continued to answer, forcing the set beyond the traditional 25-point mark.
With the score tied at 29-29, Pao delivered a timely kill to give the Pack a 30-29 advantage. Schul and Mobley followed with a combined block to secure the 31-29 victory and give CSU Pueblo a 2-1 lead in the match.
Needing just one more set to keep their postseason hopes alive, the ThunderWolves were unable to overcome a strong Fort Lewis response in the fourth frame. The Skyhawks hit .353 in the set and pulled away for a 25-19 victory, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, Fort Lewis gained the upper hand and built a late advantage. CSU Pueblo continued to battle, receiving late kills from Pino and Schul, but the Skyhawks ultimately secured the 15-11 victory to bring the ThunderWolves' season to a close.
Looking Back at the 2026 Season
The 2026 campaign marked a season of transition and perseverance for CSU Pueblo, which entered the year looking to build upon a successful 2025 season that featured a perfect 10-0 home record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Under Bruere, a former ThunderWolf who returned to her alma mater ahead of the 2025 campaign, CSU Pueblo navigated a challenging schedule and several personnel changes throughout the fall.
The ThunderWolves opened the season with a competitive nonconference slate that included the Brasfield Invitational in Texas and a thrilling five-set victory over West Texas A&M in their home opener at Massari Arena.
One of the season's biggest challenges came early when senior setter Elena Stankovic, the reigning RMAC Setter of the Year, suffered an injury after appearing in just five matches.
With Stankovic sidelined, CSU Pueblo relied on Schmitz and Madison Gardner to direct the offense, while several underclassmen took on expanded roles throughout the campaign.
The ThunderWolves continued to battle through conference play, earning victories over several RMAC opponents while remaining in contention for a postseason berth entering the final two weeks of the regular season.
A late-season push culminated in Friday's sweep of Western Colorado, setting up Saturday's winner-take-all showdown with Fort Lewis.
Although the ThunderWolves ultimately fell short of their postseason goal, the final weekend highlighted the team's resilience and determination to compete until the final point.
Individual Performances Highlight Campaign
Zwart emerged as one of CSU Pueblo's primary offensive weapons throughout the season, anchoring the attack from the outside hitter position.
Pino and Schul also played significant roles offensively, giving the ThunderWolves multiple attacking options throughout the year.
At the net, Schul and senior middle blocker Andi Nothdurft helped establish CSU Pueblo as a formidable blocking team within the RMAC.
Nothdurft enjoyed a breakout defensive campaign after injuries limited her opportunities during the 2025 season. She ranked among the conference's top blockers and spent much of the season among the NCAA Division II national leaders in total blocks.
Schul was equally impactful, providing consistent production as both an attacker and blocker while establishing herself as a key piece of the ThunderWolves' future.
In the back row, Pao continued to anchor the Pack's defensive efforts, providing leadership, serve reception and consistency from the libero position.
Schmitz's move into a larger setting role following Stankovic's injury also proved vital, as the senior helped stabilize the offense and provided veteran leadership during the conference season.
ThunderWolves Bid Farewell to Five Seniors
Saturday's contest also marked the final collegiate match for five members of the CSU Pueblo senior class: Kacee Garcia, Grace Helzer, Andi Nothdurft, Chinaru Pao and Kendall Schmitz.
The five seniors were recognized during the ThunderWolves' home finale against Black Hills State on Oct. 31 at Massari Arena.
All five were members of the 2025 squad that reached the NCAA Division II Tournament and completed a perfect 10-0 regular-season home campaign.
Garcia, Helzer and Pao shared a unique connection with Bruere, having previously played for her at Western Colorado during the 2023 and 2024 seasons before following their former coach to CSU Pueblo.
Pao served as a steady defensive presence throughout her time with the ThunderWolves, earning Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition in 2024 while at Western Colorado before continuing her collegiate career in Pueblo.
Schmitz overcame an injury that sidelined her during the 2025 season and returned to play a significant role in the ThunderWolves' offense in 2026.
Nothdurft also battled back from a season-ending injury in 2025 to become one of the RMAC's most productive defensive players during her final collegiate campaign.
Meanwhile, Garcia and Helzer provided veteran experience and leadership, helping establish the foundation of the program under Bruere.
Together, the five seniors leave behind a legacy highlighted by an NCAA Tournament appearance, an undefeated home campaign in 2025 and their contributions to the program's continued development.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 season complete, CSU Pueblo will turn its attention toward the 2027 campaign and the continued development of its returning players under Bruere.
The ThunderWolves will look to build around a returning group that includes Pino, Schul, Mobley and several other contributors who gained valuable experience during the 2026 season.
While Saturday's five-set defeat brought an emotional end to the year, the ThunderWolves close the campaign having remained in the postseason race until the final night of the regular season.
CSU Pueblo finishes the 2026 season with an overall record of 12-15 and a 6-8 mark in RMAC play.
