THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's volleyball team will take on Stephen F. Austin on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Stopher Gymnasium, marking the first conference match and first home match of the 2014 season.
 
The Colonels (4-9) have played their first 13 contests on the road, traveling over 2,500 miles and 40 hours, while facing tough non-conference opponents including the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Memphis, Mississippi State University and the University of Dayton.
 
Nicholls is coming off of a 1-3 finish at the North Florida tournament in Jacksonville, after which Kali Schwartz received all-tournament honors and Kalynn Egea was named Southland Conference Women's Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week.
 
SFA (7-7) have been tested through its non-conference schedule as well, taking on opponents including the University of Michigan, the University of Arkansas, the University of North Texas and the University of Louisville.
 
The Ladyjacks went 1-2 this past weekend, falling in straight sets to Louisville before defeating Texas Southern 3-0 and falling Rice University 3-1.
 
Kaci Eaton leads the Colonels offensively and is second in the Southland Conference with 188 kills, while contributing 121 digs, 12 blocks and seven service aces. Egea is second in conference in digs with 246. Ainsley Marroccoli has a team-high 268 assists while Alyse Barclay has contributed 166 on the season.
 
Stephen F. Austin is led offensively by Jill Ivy with 177 kills. OJ Olsen has a team-leading 285 digs and Paige Holland leads the Ladyjacks with 414 assists this year.
 
Admission to all Nicholls women's volleyball home matches is absolutely free this season! Come out and support your Colonels as they enter conference play Thursday. Nicholls will face Northwestern State University at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Stopher Gymnasium.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's volleyball.