NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Nicholls State University women's volleyball team will make the short drive to the Big Easy for a matchup against their regional foe, the University of New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Human Performance Center.
 
The Colonels (6-11, 2-2 SLC) are coming off of a 3-1 defeat of Lamar University on Saturday afternoon. Nicholls dropped the first set 26-24 before sweeping the remaining three to seal the victory. With the win, the Colonels have passed last season's win total and tied their Southland Conference win total.
 
The Privateers (6-12, 0-5 SLC) most recently dropped a 3-0 match to Central Arkansas on Thursday. The loss comes after a 3-0 sweep of Alcorn State earlier in the week. UNO's 2014 women's volleyball narrative is similar to that of Nicholls. Through 18 games the Privateers have already doubled their win total from last season.
 
With two programs looking to take major steps in the right direction, something will have to give on Tuesday.
 
Kaci Eaton has led the Colonels offensive attack all season, registering 240 kills and is second on the team in digs (172). Her 4.12 kill per set average is good for second in the Southland. Kalynn Egea has bolstered Nicholls' defensive efforts and is ranked 1^st in conference with 341 digs. Ainsley Marroccoli leads the squad with 358 assists and Alyse Barclay is second on the team with 225. Emily Weimer has a team-leading 41 blocks this year.
 
The most recent NCAA rankings list the Colonels as first in the nation in team attacks per set. Eaton is first in the conference and second in the nation in attacks per set with a 13.9 average. Nicholls is also second in the nation in digs per set while Egea ranks first in conference and fourth in the nation with a 5.92 digs per set average.
 
Cara Sandler and Mikay Sellers-Wiebe lead UNO with 150 and 126 kills respectively. The Privateers have three players with over 100 digs. Sara Hammoutene has a team-leading 422 assists on the year while Rondolyn Bryant leads the team in blocks with 25.
 
The Colonels will take on UNO before making the lengthy drive to Conway, Arkansas to battle the University of Central Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's volleyball.