THIBODAUX – After recording the second highest win total in the program's history, the Nicholls State University volleyball team will begin its 2011 campaign this weekend (Aug. 26-27) for three matches in the El Paso Sports Commission Volleyball Invitational, hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso.

The Colonels, who notched 14 victories in 2010, are slated to face Portland State at noon on Friday. On Saturday, Nicholls squares off against Southern University at 10 a.m. before wrapping up with host UTEP at 2:00 p.m.

Before heading back to Louisiana, Nicholls will stop in Las Cruses, N.M. on Aug. 28 for a contest against New Mexico State. First serve on Sunday is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Live stats for the three weekend contests will be available at geauxcolonels.com.