Sept. 6, 2008

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. - In the first of two matches on Saturday, the Colonels held their own with Southern Miss, falling 3-0 with scores of 25-18, 25-18, 25-20.

"We missed a great opportunity to win a few sets this morning and there was no reason for us to lose," said Colonel head coach Chris Laird. "We just didn't show up and that's very frustrating because we talk about how much we want to compete and then don't follow through."

Junior transfer Manieka Golden (Porter, Texas/Galveston College) led Nicholls, tallying nine kills and posting seven digs in the three-set contest. Senior setter Amy Whitehead (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur) handed out 19 assists and had six digs of her own.

"There were some individual bright spots and some scrappiness that we have been looking for," noted Laired, "but not enough fire, desire and determination to pull through."

Nicholls held close through the first set, tying the frame at 17 before Southern Miss used a 7-1 scoring run to finish with the win.

The second stanza went the same way, with the Colonels knotting the score at 13 before the Golden Eagles scored six-straight points to take a lead they would not relinquish.

In the final set, Nicholls held close, never allowing Southern Miss more than a four-point advantage, but Colonel errors and solid offense from the Golden Eagles led to an eventual 25-20 win for USM.

Junior Rachel Spreen (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) logged two block assists, with Amy Beshir (Huntsville, Ala./Huntsville) and Golden each adding one of their own.

Freshman Rachel Yezak tallied six kills and was tied with Spreen for a team-leading nine digs in the contest.

"We definitely gave ourselves and opportunity to win, and hopefully we can create another situation today where we have a chance to do something positive," Laird added. "It's time for someone on this team to step up and take charge on the court. We need to find those seven people who want to get on the court for us and hopefully create a different scenario this afternoon, or else it's back to the drawing board."

The Colonels will wrap up play in the McNeese State Invitational this afternoon, facing Mississippi State at 4:30 p.m.

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