THIBODAUX - The Nicholls State University women's volleyball team (10-7, 3-2 Southland Conference) continues it's four-match road trip when the Colonels head to Sam Houston State (8-12, 2-3 Southland) on Saturday.  Nicholls will be looking to rebound from a loss at Central Arkansas in their last outing and keep pace in a crowded Southland Conference picture when they take on the Bearkats in a 2 p.m. first serve in Huntsville, Texas.

The Colonels, who went 13-19 overall and 6-10 in the Southland last season, have already turned in their second consecutive season with double-digit wins.  It marks the first time since 1996 (19-18) and 1997 (24-11) that Nicholls has recorded ten or more victories in consecutive years. 

Nicholls heads into the weekend needing just three more wins to surpass their overall and conference win totals.  More importantly, currently in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference overall standings, a win over the Bearkats would help the Colonels solidify their place in the league standings and help Nicholls chances of a third consecutive Southland Conference Tournament appearance.

The Colonels enter the weekend 2.0 matches behind Southland East Division leader Central Arkansas, and the top eight teams in the league are separated by just 3.0 matches. 

Nicholls has been led by one of the top defenses in the nation all season long.  The Colonels currently rank 31st nationally with a 16.69 dig/set average.  Junior libero Danielle Daigle has set the tone for the Nicholls defense, ranking fifth nationally with a 5.72 individual dig/set average.  The Nicholls defensive unit has combined to limit opponents to a .166 hitting percentage, the second best mark in the Southland Conference.

Offensively, the Colonels are led by sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Brandt.  The Wallis, Texas native owns a 3.07 kill per set average, the sixth best mark in the conference.

However, the Bearkats own one of the best offenses in the Southland Conference.  Sam Houston State is led by Carli Kolbe who has turned in a 3.37 kill/set average, the third best mark in the league.  Meanwhile, Sam Houston's front line defense ranks third in the league with a 2.14 block/set average.

The match at Sam Houston marks the third of a four-match road trip for the Colonels that will conclude with Nicholls' non-conference finale at Jackson State on Tuesday.