THIBODAUX, La.  – After a sluggish opening set, the Nicholls State University volleyball team put together strong performances in sets 2 and 3, but it did not reflect on the scoreboard as the Colonels fell in straight sets to Abilene Christian, 25-15, 27-25, 27-25, Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym.
 
Nicholls slipped to 5-16 on the year and 0-5 in Southland Conference play, while ACU is 4-2 improved to 4-2 in the SLC and 5-16 overall.
 
Kali Schwartz hammered home a team-high 10 kills, while Sydney Lerille and Emily Weimer, who was celebrating her birthday, finished with seven each. Schwartz tallied five aces for the Colonels; including four in a dominating 9-0 run in the third set to give Nicholls a 13-4 lead. But ACU fought back and eventually tied the game at 19-all before ending the set and the match with three straight points.
 
The second set was much like the final as there were 16 ties. The Colonels were down midway through before an 8-2 run gave the Red and Gray a 19-17 lead. A kill by Schwartz and two errors by ACU put the score at 25-24 Colonels, but once again, the Wildcats put together the final three points for the win.
 
ACU cruised to a 10-point victory in the first set after hitting .357.
 
The Colonels hit .179 in the loss, but had outstanding days by the kill leaders. Lerille led the way with a .500 hitting percentage, followed by Weimer at .438 and Schwartz finished at .375. Jade Piper directed the offense with 20 assists, and Alexa Perry registered 14 digs.
 
The Colonels are back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Southeastern Louisiana. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.