Oct. 4, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Down 2-0 after the first two sets, the Colonels rallied to upset Northwestern State 3-2 (23-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-11) Saturday afternoon in Southland Conference action in Stopher Gym.

"The crowd was huge for us again," said head coach of the Colonels, Chris Laird. "I'm very proud of our team and how we did today. It's hard to express that feeling. I'm just ecstatic that we won and that we came back being down two sets. This is a huge win."

A well-balanced offensive attack propelled the Colonels (5-8, 2-1 SLC) to victory, led by senior Chelsey Adams (Gulf Breeze, Fla./Pensacola JC) and junior Manieka Golden (Porter, Texas/Galveston CC) who each posted 12 kills. Adams hit .478 in the match, making just one error.

Junior Rachel Spreen (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) had a double-double on the day, tallying 11 kills and 12 digs through the five-set match.

Defensively, the Colonels were led by senior Enjoli Ford (New Orleans, La./McDonough 35), whose 26 digs set a new season high.

As a squad, Nicholls posted 13 total blocks, led by freshman Rachel Yezak's (Houston, Texas/Klein) 11 block assists and Golden's seven.

"This was really a redemption match for us," added Laird. "We were up two sets last year vs. Northwestern [State] and lost in five, so it's a great redeeming feeling to get this win at home like we did. They are a good program, a tough opponent, and I'm just so proud of the girls for coming back and playing with such enthusiasm."

After Northwestern State (6-8, 1-4 SLC) claimed the first two sets, the Colonels battled back, using a 6-2 scoring run to break a 19-19 stalemate and pick up the 'W' in the third game 25-21.

In the fourth set, the squads traded points and serves before Nicholls scored five unanswered points for a 20-15 lead. The cushion was enough as the Colonels sent the match to a fifth and deciding set with a 25-23 victory.

Northwestern State took the early lead in the final set, but Nicholls pulled ahead 5-3 and never looked back, not allowing the Lady Demons within two points of the lead through the entire game.

"Today was really a team effort," Laird said. "Everyone contributed for us. We kept our composure and worked through some line-up changes that we're dealing with because of injuries and came out on top. This is such a big win for us and I'm so proud of our girls and so thankful to our fans for being there and being so enthusiastic."

The Colonels will return to action next weekend, traveling to Stephen F. Austin (Oct. 10) and McNeese State (Oct. 11) in Southland Conference play.

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