Final Stats 2010 Nicholls Invitational Presented by Thibodaux Regional Medical Center Tournament Central

Box Score and Play-by-Play

THIBODAUX - The University of South Alabama Jaguars (2-6) won the first set, but four different Colonels totaled double digit kills, and the Nicholls defense recorded 73 digs and 10.0 blocks as the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team rallied past South Alabama 3-2 (25-21, 25-18, 25-13, 25-22) on the first day of the 2010 Nicholls Invitational Presented by Thibodaux Regional Medical Center.

The tournament opened with a 4 p.m. match between SWAC rivals Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with the Jaguars claiming a 3-0 win over the Golden Lions of UAPB leading into the South Alabama - Nicholls 7 p.m. first serve.

The Jaguars came out strong in the first set, hitting .206 (12-5-34) as a team and outlasting the Colonels through nine tie scores and five lead changes for a 25-21 win to take a 1-0 lead.

However, Nicholls quickly rebounded in the second by outhitting the Jaguars .343 (16-4-35) to .114 (11-6-44) in the second set.  The Colonels picked up a 25-18 victory to even the match at 1-1. 

Nicholls continued to pick up steam in the third set with a dominating defensive performance.  Nicholls tallied 3.0 total blocks and eight digs while forcing 13 errors by South Alabama to limit the Jaguars to a -.115 third set hitting percentage (6-9-26).  Meanwhile, the Colonels hit .222 (12-6-27) en route to the 25-13 win and a 2-1 lead.

Looking to force a fifth and final set, the Jaguars came out strong in the fourth.  The Colonels found themselves in a back-and-forth struggle with South Alabama, battling through nine tie scores and two lead changes before finally pulling away with an 11-8 eight run to clinch the 25-22 win.

The Colonels were led by sophomore middle blocker Jessica Addicks compiled a .458 hitting percentage (12-1-24).  Joining Addicks with double digit kills were freshman outside hitter Lauren Chapman (12), junior right side hitter Rachel Yezak (11) and sophomore outside hitter Jennifer Brandt who tallied a team-high 17 kills.

Meanwhile, the Colonels' defensive efforts were led by reigning Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week Danielle Daigle.  The junior libero tallied a match high 29 digs.  Two other Colonels joined Daigle with double-digit digs as Yezak recorded a double-double with ten digs to go along with her ten kills and junior setter Jordan Karst tallied ten digs to accompany her match high 44 assists.

Nicholls compiled 10.0 total blocks on the night with Addicks leading the way with one block solo and five block assists.  Sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Harris (1 BS/3 BA), Yezak (4 BA), Karst (3 BA) and Brandt (1 BA) also found their names in the blocking column before the night was over.

The 2010 Nicholls Invitational Presented by Thibodaux Regional Medical Center resumes on Tuesday at 10 a.m.  Southern will take on South Alabama in the first match of the day.  The Colonels and UAPB will follow at noon.  South Alabama and the Golden Lions will play at 2 p.m. and Nicholls will host Southern in the finale at 4 p.m.