The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (3-7, 1-1 RMAC) volleyball team proved that the third time really is a charm by beating Colorado-State Pueblo (2-8, 0-1) Friday in Pueblo.

After losing consecutive five-game matches with Central Oklahoma and New Mexico Highlands earlier in the week, the Mountain Lions again went five with the Thunderwolves. In the pervious two matches the Mountains Lions failed to play well in the fifth game. Friday night was much different.

"The difference (in this match's Game 5) was instead of playing tentatively, we continued to be just as aggressive as we were in the first four games, “ said Head Coach Tara Miller.

CU-Colorado Springs jumped out to an early 5-3 lead in Game 5 before CSU-Pueblo rallied off five straight points to go up 8-6. After a timeout, the Mountain Lions scored six of the next seven points to take a commanding 12-9 lead. A few points later, a Kelly Olson kill put the match away, as CU-Colorado Springs won 15-13.

The win was the first on the road against an RMAC opponent for CU-Colorado Springs since Nov 2 2001, when the Mountain Lions beat Southern Colorado 3-0.

CU-Colorado Springs dominated Game 1. The Mountain Lions hit .400, and led by as many as 13 points en route to a 30-20 win. CSU-Pueblo coasted to a 30-22 win in Game 2. Game 3 was much closer.

With the scored tied at 25-25, the Mountain Lions went on a three point spurt, capped by a Denman kill to go up for good 28-25. CU-Colorado Springs held off the Thunderwolves for a 20-28 win. CSU-Pueblo won Game 4 30-24 to force the fifth game.

Kristen Denman led the Mountain Lions in kills with a career-high 19 and also added nine digs. Kelly Olson had 13 kills and eleven digs while Linnlee Hansen added a match-high 20 digs.

"This was a crucial win for us," said Miller "It's a victory that sets the momentum for the rest of the year."