Nicholls Crowd Celebration
Zachary Carlton

Women's Volleyball

Nicholls Volleyball to Host New Orleans in First Home Match of 2015

THIBODAUX, La. – It's been 329 days since the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team last played in Stopher Gym, and the Colonels have faced numerous opponents and traveled thousands of miles since that time. On Tuesday, the Colonel road-warriors will finally make their home debut against the University of New Orleans at 6:30 p.m.

The Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional is sponsoring the "Spike Breast Cancer" match, which will raise awareness for breast cancer.

Nicholls (5-11, 0-4 SLC) opened with a promising start to its 2015 campaign, playing well against tough opponents like TCU, Tulane and NC State, despite having a number of key players sidelined with injury. Since that time, the Colonels have struggled, dropping four straight in Southland Conference play. Nicholls hopes to take advantage of a back-loaded home schedule, as the team faces eight of its remaining 12 matches in Thibodaux, beginning with Tuesday's bout against the Privateers (8-9, 0-3 SLC).
 
New Orleans possesses a similar storyline, excelling in non-conference action before losing three consecutive league contests. The Privateers are coming off of a hard-fought loss to the 5-1 Sugar Bears of Central Arkansas.
 
New Orleans leads the all-time series with the Colonels, 32-29, but Nicholls has won the previous five meetings between the schools, and holds an 11-7 advantage in Thibodaux.
 
Since her return from injury, Preseason All-Southland First Team selection Kaci Eaton has led the Colonels with team-highs in both points per set (4.29) and kills per set (3.95). Overall, Kayla Mashburn leads Nicholls with 194 points and 169 kills. Alyse Barclay has been the rock of the Colonel offense, totaling 415 kills (7.55 per set), while Stephanie Tobison has paced the squad in digs, with 181. Emily Weimer is the team-leader in blocks, with 33, and Anna Niederhauser has 22 service aces to pace the squad.
 
The Privateers boast an evenly balanced offense with three players totaling over 115 kills this year. Celeste Ramirez has 494 assists and Lauren Levy has 173 digs, both team-highs. New Orleans is currently leading the Southland in aces (122).
 
The Colonels will host Central Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 10 at noon.
 
Admission to all Nicholls home volleyball games is absolutely free! Come out and support your Colonels!
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com for live stats, video and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls volleyball.

Players Mentioned

Alyse Barclay

#2 Alyse Barclay

S
6' 0"
Senior
Dodge City Community College
Kaci Eaton

#17 Kaci Eaton

OH
6' 2"
Junior
Lake Travis High School
Stephanie Tobison

#5 Stephanie Tobison

OH
5' 10"
Sophomore
Glenbard North High School
Emily Weimer

#4 Emily Weimer

MH/OH
5' 10"
Sophomore
E.D. White High School
Anna Niederhauser

#12 Anna Niederhauser

OH
6' 1"
Freshman
Gymnasium Neufeld, Bern

Players Mentioned

Alyse Barclay

#2 Alyse Barclay

6' 0"
Senior
Dodge City Community College
S
Kaci Eaton

#17 Kaci Eaton

6' 2"
Junior
Lake Travis High School
OH
Stephanie Tobison

#5 Stephanie Tobison

5' 10"
Sophomore
Glenbard North High School
OH
Emily Weimer

#4 Emily Weimer

5' 10"
Sophomore
E.D. White High School
MH/OH
Anna Niederhauser

#12 Anna Niederhauser

6' 1"
Freshman
Gymnasium Neufeld, Bern
OH