Oct. 16, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX - Freshman middle blocker Jessica Addicks posted a team-best .400 hitting percentage and senior outside hitter Manieka Golden had a team-leading 15 kills, but it wasn't enough for the Nicholls State University volleyball team (9-12, 3-4 Southland Conference) as the Colonels fell to the top team in the Southland Conference West Division, Sam Houston State (15-10, 7-1 Southland) by a final of 3-0 (15-25, 17-25, 14-25) on Friday night.

The Bearkats, who extended their winning streak to seven matches to stay atop the western half of the conference, got off to a fast start. Sam Houston out-hit the Colonels .276 (10-2-29) to .132 (11-6-38) in the opening frame. Nicholls saw five kills from Golden and three more from sophomore outside hitter Rachel Yezak.

However, 15 Colonel errors would prove costly to Nicholls as Sam Houston went on an 11-3 run early to take a commanding 13-5 lead. The Bearkats held on the rest of the way for a 25-15 opening set win.

The Colonels tried to battle back in the second as Nicholls forced 11 tie scores and four lead changes. However, the Bearkat offense kept rolling with a .351 team hitting percentage (18-5-37). After Nicholls tied the match at 15-15, Sam Houston responded with a 10-2 run to put the Colonels in a 2-0 hole.

Trying to force a fourth set, the Colonels went back-and-forth with the Bearkats early on. Nicholls held a 9-8 lead until Sam Houston put together one more big run.

The Bearkats won ten straight points to take an 18-9 lead en route to the 25-14 win and a straight-set victory.

The Colonels will return to action on Friday, Oct. 30 when they host Southland Conference rival Northwestern State in Stopher Gym.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. Admission is free for Nicholls students with valid ID and all children five and under.