Oct. 31, 2009

Box Score

THIBODAUX - After falling behind 2-0, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team (10-15, 4-7 Southland Conference) battled back and nearly forced the first place Central Arkansas Bears (23-3, 12-0 Southland) to a decisive fifth set. However, the Bears managed to stay undefeated in conference play by rallying for a decisive fourth set win on Saturday to hand the Colonels a 3-1 loss by scores of 13-25, 19-25, 26-24 and 21-25 at Stopher Gym.

The Bears opened by showing the form that has made them into a nearly unbeatable team. Central Arkansas rolled to a 25-13 win in the first set thanks to a .310 team hitting percentage and just seven total errors.

The Colonels fared slightly better in the second set posting a .240 team hitting percentage. Freshman Jasmine Harris had a team-high three kills on three attempts and had a hand in one of the Colonels four blocks during the second frame.

However, it wouldn't be enough to keep the Bears in check as Central Arkansas hit .275 as a team and claimed a 25-19 win and a 2-0 advantage.

Looking to avoid a straight set loss, the Colonels came out strong in the third. Freshman Rachel Yezak posted four of her team-high 11 kills in the third. Senior Manieka Golden added five more with a .500 hitting percentage and senior Rachel Spreen hit .600 (3-0-5) without an error as Nicholls outhit UCA .375 to .163 en route to a 26-24 win that saw nine tie scores and five lead changes along the way.

Looking to force a decisive fifth set, Nicholls took control of the early part of the fourth frame thanks to a 13-9 opening run. However, the Bears would rally to tie things up a 19-19 before going on a 6-2 run to close out a 25-21 win and clinch their 12th consecutive Southland Conference victory this season.

With the loss, the Colonels fall to 10-15 overall with a 4-7 mark in conference play. With five regular season matches left, the Colonels will try to improve their chances of a repeat trip to the Southland Conference Tournament when they return to action at Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday night.

The Colonels entered Saturday night tied for the seventh of eight conference tournament spots with Texas-San Antonio. Southeastern Louisiana is two games in back of the Colonels with a 2-8 Southland record.

Nicholls was one game back of McNeese State and Texas-Arlington (who are tied for the fifth spot with a 5-5 record) and two behind Stephen F. Austin (fourth at 6-4) entering Saturday's action.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the University Center in Hammond.