I'm guessing that the file is on a pile somewhere for the judge to review the Plaintiff's motion and that's why they couldn't put their hands on it.
I suggest you check the online docket a couple of times a week to see what's happening.
http://www.jp.co.pima.az.us/casesearch/hmuver.aspx
As long as you filed it on time, it will delay things for several months.
That you were charged $37 to file an answer leads me to conclude that the case will follow the Superior Court Rules for regular civil cases even though it's in the Justice Court.
You need to be aware of those rules lest you slip up and the other side wins on a technicality.
See the following page for the Civil Case time line. Were rules are cited you can click on them to read the rules:
http://www.sc.pima.gov/?tabid=180
In a regular civil case you are allowed to engage in Discovery where you can request the documents (evidence/proof, etc) from the Plaintiff. Click on the links to the appropriate pages. You can probably find ways to nitpick the documents that they've already sent you and ask for more.
This is a two edged sword now. On the one hand the collection agency has to start paying its attorney by the hour to keep on handling the litigation to completion so they might be willing to settle for a discounted amount to avoid that.
On the other hand, if it goes all the way to judgment and you lose you'll likely get hit with their lawyer fees (which could be thousands) since your credit card contract probably has the appropriate bilateral "loser pays lawyer fees" provision.

