THIBODAUX, La. – A bounce-back season for the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team culminates in a final regular-season confrontation with McNeese State University at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Stopher Gymnasium.
 
The Colonels (9-19, 5-10 SLC) and Cowgirls (15-16, 5-10 SLC) are tied for the eighth and final spot in the Southland Conference Tournament heading into Saturday's Senior Day match, the final home contest for senior libero Kalynn Egea. The winner on Saturday will travel to Natchitoches for the SLC tournament and the loser will be eliminated from postseason play.
 
McNeese defeated Nicholls 3-0 earlier this season in Lake Charles, and won both matchups between the programs in 2013. With the season on the line, Nicholls will look to end the three-game slide this weekend. The Cowgirls own a 39-34 advantage in the all-time series.
 
The Colonels have had a rollercoaster of a season with a young squad and injuries playing a large role. Nicholls began the season 3-1 before hitting a six-game losing streak. The team rebounded in conference play, starting out 3-2 before a series of up-and-down performances against the remainder of the Southland schedule.
 
Despite the teams inconsistencies there have been a number of bright spots this season as the Colonels more than doubled their conference win total from 2013, and are one game shy of doubling their overall wins from last season.
 
Newcomer Kaci Eaton has provided a significant positive impact on the team, dominating on the offensive side with a team-high 423 kills and adding 276 digs on defense through the first 28 games of her Nicholls career. She is second in the Southland Conference in kills and third in kills per set for her sophomore campaign. Eaton sits at second in the nation in both total attacks and attacks per set.
 
Egea has spearheaded the Colonel defense with a conference-leading 559 digs and is first in the Southland in digs per set (5.70). She is currently fourth in the nation in digs per set and was honored as the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week earlier in the year. Egea ranks first in school history for career digs per set average and also holds the school record for digs per set in a season.
 
While Eaton and Egea have led the way in 2014, a number of players have had a huge impact on the season. Freshman Emily Weimer leads the team in blocks (60), while freshmen Stephanie Tobison is third on the team in kills (189) and second in digs (282). Sophomore Ainsley Marroccoli has a team-leading 601 assists, while junior Alyse Barclay added 427. Sophomore Mikayla Miller has the highest hitting percentage on the team, and sophomore Kali Schwartz has made substantial contributions in almost every statistical category.
 
McNeese has five players with 125 or more kills, led by Rachel Cagnina with 306. Kelly Graham paces the squad with 1081 assists, while Malina Sanchez has a team-high 68 service aces. Defensively, seven Cowgirls have registered 100 or more digs and eight players have contributed double-digit blocks.
 
Nicholls last reached the Southland Conference Tournament in 2010 under similar circumstances. That year the Colonels won their final game of the regular season to enter the tournament as the No. 8 seed. Nicholls also earned tournament berths in 2008 and 2009.
 
The Colonels will battle McNeese at home in the regular season finale at 2 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 15. The match will be Senior Day as Egea plays the final home game of her illustrious Nicholls career. Egea will be honored prior to the match.
 
Nicholls SGA is donating shirts for the first 25 fans to arrive at Saturday's game. Come early to claim your shirt!
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's volleyball.