Sept. 5, 2008

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Colonel volleyball team dropped the opening match of the McNeese State Invitational Friday afternoon as LSU claimed a 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-18) victory.

"For us, it was just exciting to actually get a chance to compete," said head coach Chris Laird. "With everything that has happened in the last week and most Nicholls teams not getting a chance to practice or play, it's great for us to be able to get on the court."

Freshman Rachel Yezak (Houston, Texas/Klein) led the way for Nicholls, logging seven kills and four digs in the three-set match.

Juniors Amy Beshir (Huntsville, Ala./Huntsville) and Rachel Spreen (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) each tallied five kills, with Spreen adding six digs.

After falling behind by a large margin in the first frame, Nicholls held close in game two, never giving the Tigers more than a four-point lead. In the third set, the Colonels knotted the game at 12-all before LSU pulled ahead to take the win.

"LSU is a very good, top-25 team with a good coaching staff and excellent athletes and I thought we held our own," Laird added. "In the second set, as a coach and a spectator, I thought we were going to get the win. We just couldn't quite come through in the end. We're still learning how to finish the game."

Colonel setter Amy Whitehead (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur) handed out 15 assists in the match, while also posting a block solo and a block assist. Senior Chelsey Adams (Gulf Breeze, Fla./Pensacola JC) recorded two block assists for Nicholls.

"We didn't hit well as a team, but at this point, we're still learning to play together," noted Laird. "I think it's just important for us to get this opportunity, and we are thankful to McNeese State for letting us play in this tournament with all of the things that have happened recently in this region."

The Tigers were led by Kyna Washington's 10 kills, while setter Brittney Johnson dished our 14 assists.

"Hopefully we can come out and compete tomorrow against Southern Miss in the morning and Mississippi State in the afternoon, feel good about ourselves and mature as a team," said Laird.

The Colonels will return to the court Saturday, facing Southern Miss at 9 a.m. and Mississippi State at 4:30 p.m. in the final day of the McNeese State Invitational.

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