LAKE CHARLES, La.  – Three players reached double figures in kills and the Colonels picked up a victory in set three against McNeese, but the Nicholls State University volleyball team was unable to pick up its first Southland Conference victory as it was defeated, 3-1 (27-25, 25-16, 16-25, 25-15), on Saturday afternoon.
 
Kali Schwartz led the way with 13 kills and Sydney Lerille turned in 11 with a .500 hitting percentage. Kaci Eaton finished with 10 kills and Jade Piper handed out 34 assists.

Nicholls opened up with a strong showing, but came up just short in a 27-25 loss. The Colonels had match point twice after kills by Lerille and Piper before the Cowgirls (7-15, 3-4 SLC) tied it up with a kill and then two errors by Nicholls (5-18, 0-7 SLC) gave McNeese an early 1-0 lead.

McNeese cruised to a nine-point victory in the second before Nicholls returned the favor in the third with a 25-16 win. The Colonels posted a .333 hitting clip in the win, helping fuel a 9-3 set-clinching run.

In the fourth, the Colonels hit just .100 to remain winless in league play.

Alexa Perry tallied 24 digs in the loss, averaging eight per set. Piper recorded a double-double with 10 digs to go along with her 34 helpers.
The Colonels are back in action on Tuesday night (Oct. 18) at New Orleans. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.