Sept. 28, 2007

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - After losing the first set against in-state and conference rival Southeastern La., the Colonels rallied to defeat the Lions 26-30, 30-19, 30-27, and 30-26 to improve to 2-1 in Southland Conference play.

"I am very proud of my team in the way they competed tonight," said head coach Chris Laird. "We matured as a team by being resilient and never giving up, especially when were down."

The Colonels (8-11, 2-1 SLC) fell behind in the fourth set by as many as 11, but Nicholls fought back from their 15-4 deficit to tie the game at 23-23 via an Elise King ace. From that moment on, the Colonels and Lions (6-6, 0-3 SLC) traded points until four straight serve points by Amy Whitehead to make the score 29-26. Nicholls got the final point on a serve error by the Lions Margaret Pittman to prevail 30-26.

"The girls played aggressively in the fourth set, and they took care of their side of the net to come back from the huge deficit. All of the credit goes to them," said Laird.

In the first set, Southeastern La. out played the Colonels to get the 30-26 decision. Nicholls had 11 errors in the set that fed the Lions while Southeastern La. only committed six to propel them to the early lead. However, over the next three sets the Lions had 19 miscues to the Colonels 13 to power Nicholls to the victory.

For the contest, Rachel Spreen and Aaliyah Muhammad had a game 13 kills a piece while each having 28 attacks. Whitehead had a game high 36 assists, and Enjoli Ford had a contest best 19 digs. Kindra Halverson was a force on the floor as well by contributing a game high seven blocks to go along with her 12 kills.

The Colonels will be back in action on Friday October 5 in Stopher Gym as they host the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (13-5, 0-3 SLC). Game time is set for 7 p.m.