Oct. 10, 2008

Box Score

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Nicholls held close through the first set, but ultimately fell 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-12) to Stephen F. Austin Friday night at the Johnson Coliseum.

The Colonels (5-9, 2-2 SLC) were paced by junior Manieka Golden (Porter, Texas/Galveston CC), who posted 13 kills and senior Enjoli Ford (New Orleans, La./McDonough 35), who finished with 16 digs.

Freshman Rachel Yezak (Houston, Texas/Klein) recorded two block assists, part of three total team blocks for Nicholls on the night.

Nicholls pulled within one point of the lead in the first game, scoring points on back-to-back kills from Rachel Spreen (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) and Elise King (New Orleans, La./Karr) to bring the score to 17-16 in favor of the Lady Jacks. But SFA posted five unanswered points to take momentum back and finish out the set 25-20.

The second set was all SFA as the Lady Jacks hit .467 as a team with 15 kills and just one error to the COlonels' .059 hitting percentage. Nicholls rallied late, scoring four times on a Lady Jack set point, but fell 25-13 in the frame.

Stephen F. Austin scored 12 points in the third set before a block by Golden and freshman Casie Blanchard (Napoleonville, La./Ascension Catholic) put Nicholls on the board and the deficit was too much to overcome as SFA swept the match with a 25-12 win.

Nicholls will return to the court Saturday, facing McNeese State in continued Southland Conference action. Match-time is set for 4 p.m.

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