Nov. 14, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Freshman Rachel Yezak (Houston, Texas/Klein) recorded her fifth double-double of the season, adding 12 digs to her team-leading 12 kills (.375), as the Colonels fell 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 26-24) to McNeese State Friday night in Stopher Gym.

"I don't feel like we played like a team that is going to the conference tournament," stated head coach Chris Laird. "Not to take anything away from McNeese [State], but we didn't play Nicholls volleyball for the whole match."

Nicholls (9-16, 6-9 SLC) was paced by senior Chelsey Adams (Gulf Breeze, Fla./Pensacola JC) at the net, as she tallied two block assists and a solo block, adding 11 kills.

Prior to the match, the Colonels honored Adams, along with classmates Enjoli Ford (New Orleans, La./McDonough 35) and Mallory McInnis (Meraux, La./Chalmette) as part of a Senior Night presentation.

McInnis finished with nine kills (.250), while Ford recorded six digs.

The Colonels were led defensively by freshman Danielle Daigle's (Napoleonville, La./Assumption) 20 digs, while Nicholls' all-time assists leader, junior Amy Whitehead, dished out 44 assists on the night.

The first set was all Nicholls after the Colonels broke a 9-9 stalemate with a 3-0 run to take control. At a 24-20 set point, the Colonels faltered and the Cowgirls scored six straight to claim a 26-24 victory.

"We had opportunities to carry out our game plan," Laird added, "but we got away from our focus at the wrong time."

After tying the second set at 8 points apiece, McNeese State pulled ahead by three and maintained the lead through a 25-22 finish.

Nicholls attempted a late rally in set number three, using a 4-0 scoring streak to knot the gamet at 24-all, but McNeese held on, finishing with a 26-24 win for a 3-0 match victory.

"We've got to come back and play tomorrow because we've still got to play for that seeding in the conference tournament," noted Laird. "Hopefully we can come out and play a little bit more like we're supposed to tomorrow because we definitely didn't play like we are capable of playing tonight. Tomorrow is a new day and we have to come in and take care of business."

The Colonels will play their final match of the regular season at home on Saturday, hosting Stephen F. Austin for a 1 p.m. first serve.

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