After losing the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game of the season on Friday, the ThunderWolves volleyball team beat Fort Lewis in five sets at Saturday’s game. The Pack won the game 3-2.
In the first set, the ThunderWolves gave proof of their strength. After leading the set 17-16, the ThunderWolves expanded their leadership with 21-16. But the guest team from Fort Lewis caught up bringing the score to 22-24. Finally CSU-Pueblo won the first set 25-22.
After a strong first set, the ThunderWolves could not be recognized in the second set. Fort Lewis was leading 5-0 and went on a run to 13-2, leaving the ThunderWolves no chance to gain on Fort Lewis.
“It’s a young team and we haven’t learned how to stake out of it,” said Chris Jonson, CSU-Pueblo volleyball coach, after losing the second set 13-25.
The ThunderWolves turned the game over in the third set. CSU-Pueblo won the set 25-11.
The fourth set started very balanced, with neither team giving the other a chance to take the leadership. After a tie of 17-17, Fort Lewis pushed to win this set, which they did, winning the set 25-21.
With each team having two wins, the fifth set was needed determine the winner. CSU-Pueblo won this set 15-12. The ThunderWolves showed an excellent defense and took the chance for some very strong attacks, so that the opponents had no chance to catch up.
“We all wanted to win, and we had the heart and determination,” said team captain, Ashley Michel, South Brighton, Colo. Jonson said he is satisfied with the result.
“Everybody did good things,” he said.
Over 130 people attended the game to support the ThunderWolves during this pulsating match. Next weekend the ThunderWolves will have two away games against New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico.
