Box score

PUEBLO, Colo. — Leading 10-9 in the decisive fifth set, Fort Lewis committed four straight attack errors as Colorado State-Pueblo (15-15 overall, 6-13 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) rallied for a five-set win over the Skyhawks (11-16, 7-12) tonight at Massari Arena. The ThunderWolves won 25-22, 19-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-13 in the final match of the season for both teams.
 
After falling down 13-10 in the fifth, it was the Skyhawks that turned the tide, reeling off three straight points to knot the score at 13-13 on an Ashley Wells kill, a CSUP attack error and a Taylor Frederking block.
 
But Angela McAdams answered with a kill to give the ThunderWolves game point. Wells was then blocked by Morgan Wilkening and Skylar Conner to end the game.
 
“We were so close and that's been the theme of the entire season,” said ninth-year FLC head coach Shelly Aaland. “I'm proud of the girls' effort. They gave everything they had tonight, especially to be down 13-10 in the fifth game and tie it at 13.”
 
Outside hitters Wells (15 kills, 16 digs) and Hannah Starbuck (15 kills, 13 digs) led a balanced Fort Lewis attack. Right side hitter Stephani Sonka added 12 digs, while middle blocker Kristin Stephan had 10 kills and five blocks. Ciara Krening distributed 49 assists, while Jenna Kinzer had 14 digs.
 
Hitting errors ultimately proved to be FLC's downfall. Both teams recorded 58 kills, but the Skyhawks committed 35 attack errors to just 24 for CSUP. The ThunderWolves also dominated play at the net, recording 17 blocks to FLC's 10.
 
Wilkening had 14 kills and seven blocks to lead the ThunderWolves. Briana Bryant added 13 kills and seven blocks for CSUP, while hitting for a blistering .462. Marissa Calvillo had 11 kills.
 
Fort Lewis finished in ninth place in the RMAC standings and more than doubled its victory output from a year ago. The Skyhawks had no seniors on their 2012 roster and look for a handful of key recruits to bolster strong junior, sophomore and freshman classes in 2013.
 
“Overall, we have a great core to work with and I'm excited to get to spring practice,” said Aaland. “We'll need to work hard so that we don't have another season of missed opportunity.”