SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team rallied past Colorado State University-Pueblo, 3-2, after forcing a fifth set in its home opener on Friday night.

The Yellow Jackets improve to 5-6 on the season, and 2-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action, while the Thunderwolves fall to 1-10, and 0-3 in the RMAC.

After trailing 2-0 in the match, the Green and Gold found their momentum in set three. At 1-1, Tara Hall served for four points to give BHSU the 5-1 lead. Hall scored two points off service aces while an attack error and a kill by Fehrin Ward led to the other points.

From there, the Yellow Jackets led by 11 points at 20-9. Ward grabbed two points off service aces, with one point due to CSUP falling out of rotation. That was enough for Black Hills State to finish the set at 25-15 and narrow the match to 2-1.

In set four, the two teams kept it exciting all the way. At 16-all, a kill by Ward tied it and Kenzie Kazmer followed behind to give BHSU the go-ahead point at 17-16. Another kill by Ward gave the Yellow Jackets an 18-16 lead, causing CSUP to take a timeout.

The Thunderwolves were looking to close out the fourth set to win the match as they trailed 24-23. However, an error by Colorado State-Pueblo gave BHSU the set point at 25-23 to tie the match, 2-2.

After forcing the fifth set, the two teams kept it interesting the duration of the set. Colorado State tied it up at four-all but it was the only tie in the set. The Yellow Jackets kept the lead the rest of the way. At 14-12, Sierra Stugelmeyer ended the match off a hard kill for the Green and Gold to take the set, 15-12, and end the match, 3-2.

"We played some of the worst and best volleyball of the season tonight," said head coach Kristin Carmichael. "I'm very proud that this team didn't give up when they were down 2-0 and believed in themselves and each other to get the win in five. Another huge RMAC win and one step closer to our goals."

Kenzie Kazmer led the offense with 14 kills and a .344 hitting percentage. Ellise Lech and Cheyenne Palu worked alongside Kazmer as they tallied 11 kills apiece. Laurel Lech notched a career high 50 assists.

Tara Hall worked hard on defense as she grabbed 19 digs to lead the defense. Sydney Ederhoff registered 16 digs, while L. Lech had 13. Ward came up big on defense as well, blocking nine shots against just two errors. The team recorded 13 total blocks to CSU-Pueblo's six.

Black Hills State continues its home stand, hosting New Mexico Highlands Saturday, September 23, at the Young Center with first serve scheduled for 5:30 p.m.