Sept. 6, 2008

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. - In the final match of the McNeese State Invitational Saturday evening, the Colonel volleyball team came from behind to claim a 3-2 (22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 25-22, 15-13) over Mississippi State and pick up its first win of the 2008 season.

"It feels great to finally get our first win of the season and it's even better getting it over a team from such a great volleyball conference," said Chris Laird, head coach of the Colonels.

Senior Mallory McInnis (Meraux, La./Chalmette) led the way for Nicholls, tallying 18 kills and adding eight digs and five total blocks. Freshman Rachel Yezak (Houston, Texas/Klein) and junior Manieka Golden (Porter, Texas/Galveston College) each finished with 14 kills, with Yezak posting a double-double with 12 digs.

Yezak was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts over the weekend.

Junior Amy Whitehead (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur) dished out 42 assists in the five-set match, while newcomer Danielle Daigle (Napoleonville, La./Assumption) recorded a team-leading 19 digs.

"Our girls really battled today," Laird added. "They came back from a disappointing showing earlier today against Southern Miss. It was amazing - like night and day. It was nice to see that difference and that confidence in our team."

The Colonels and Bulldogs traded points back and forth early in the first set before Mississippi State took a permanent lead. Nicholls held within three points through the end as the Bulldogs won the first frame 25-22.

In the second stanza, Nicholls took control, pulling ahead 5-4 and never looking back. The Colonels kept the Bulldogs at bay, never allowing Mississippi State within six points of the lead as they evened the match 1-1 with a 25-18 victory.

Nicholls held a lead through much of the third set, but the Bulldogs used a 7-1 scoring run to take the frame to extra points and pick up the win.

But the Colonels dominated in the fourth frame, evening the match 2-2 and never falling behind in the set. The Bulldogs pulled within one before Nicholls scored three-straight to grab the 'W'.

In the fifth and deciding set, Nicholls was in charge for much of the frame, allowing the Bulldogs to even the score twice, but never relinquishing the lead to capture it's first match victory of the season with a 15-13 win in the frame.

"I really think we could have won this match in four [sets]," Laird noted, "but we gave it away because we were tense. We were more focused on the score than the process of finishing it out."

The Colonels posted 12.5 team blocks, led by Amy Beshir (Huntsville, Ala./Huntsville) and McInnis who had five each.

Golden added four service aces on the night, as well as three block assists.

"There were some great individual performances and we played well as team. We're just happy to get this first win under our belts and are looking forward to coming home."

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