GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University welcomed Colorado State University – Pueblo to Paul Wright Gym to close the weekend homestand. But, the Mountaineers could not overcome a sluggish start to defeat the Thunderwolves who took the match in three sets 25-15, 26-24, 25-23. 
 
In a match with 13 total ties in score, Western (1-9, 0-2 RMAC) could not get over the hump to overcome CSU-Pueblo (3-8, 1-1 RMAC).
 
Western's best play came in the second set as the Mountaineers began to find their attack, hitting a match high .276 with 12 kills on 29 attempts. During the set, Western weathered several CSU-Pueblo scoring stretches to eventually force extra points. 
 
Down 8-4 in the second, Western ran off four consecutive points to tie the game at eight a piece. The effort would be the first of six ties in the second set alone. After CSU-Pueblo gained the advantage, Western clawed back to a 21-21 draw. A Sarah Sparling ace would give Western the next advantage 22-21. But the Thunderwolves would not go away tying the game at 22-22, and 24-24. With the game knotted at 24, CSU-Pueblo delivered consecutive kills to steal the set 26-24. 
 
Western got out to an 8-3 edge to start the third set, capitalizing on CSU-Pueblo errors and a string off kills from Kelsey Ubben, Cierra Abbott, and Chelsea Bostwick. The Thunderwolves would battle back to tie the game five times. Tied at 16-16, a CSU-Pueblo run would prove to be too much as working dropped the set 25-23. 
 
Cierra Abbott led Western with six timely kills while hitting .400 on the match. Additionally Kathleen Kasel and Kirsten Companik both delivered five kills for Western. 
 
Hannah Hendrickson dished out 22 assists on the match while Cammi Baumann earned 12 digs. 
 
Western will now hit the road for a three game stretch, starting with a Tuesday 9/11/18 match up against Colorado Mesa University.