THIBODAUX, La. – Next weekend marks the start of Southland Conference play for the Nicholls State University volleyball team, and the Colonels will have a chance to head into it on a high note as they are slated for four matches at Jacksonville State.
THE SCHEDULE
Sept. 16 (Friday) – ULM – 11:30 a.m. l
Live Stats
Sept. 16 – Jacksonville State – 7 p.m. l
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Live Stats
Sept. 17 (Saturday) – Kennesaw State – 9 a.m. l
Live Stats
Sept. 17 – Evansville – 4:30 p.m. l
Live Stats
PREVIEW
Nicholls slipped to 4-7 on the season after coming up short last weekend in three matches in North Florida. The Colonels were shutout in two of the matches - North Florida and Mercer - with a 3-1 loss to Florida International sandwiched in between. The Colonels entered the tournament on a three-match winning streak.
So far this season,
Lucija Barac has been a weapon for the Colonels as she ranks in the top 50 of the NCAA with a conference-best 16 aces. She served a season-high five against Louisiana-Lafayette and her second-best performance came against Samford with five. She has also split time as the primary setter with 125 assists, trailing
Ainsley Marroccoli who has a team-high 170 (4.72).
Sophomore
Brieanna Hill continues to lead the Colonels in kills with 2.11 per set (80). She closed out last weekend with two double-figure outings, giving her three for the season.
Stephanie Tobison is second on the squad with 1.97 kills, while
Emily Weimer has 1.79 kills and a team-high 37 blocks. Also on defense,
Alexa Perry's 3.79 dig per set has helped the Colonels to the fourth-best mark in the Southland (15.66).
THE OPPONENTS
ULM enters the tournament with a record of 3-10. The Warhawks are led by former Colonel head coach Patrick Hiltz, who coached at Nicholls for one season in 2012 before returning to the Warhawk staff.
Jacksonville State (7-2) is the lone team in the tournament with a winning record. The Gamecocks are hosting their second invitational in as many weekends, and came away unscathed with a 4-0 mark. Reigning Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week Allyson Zuhlke leads the team with 170 kills and a .365 hitting percentage.
Kennesaw State (2-8) has wins over Liberty and Georgia State. The Owls faced Southland member Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 3 and were defeated, 3-1. Sydni Shelton paces the offense with 2.63 kills per set.
Evansville (2-7) picked up a 3-2 win last weekend against Kent State. The Purple Aces opened the season with five straight losses, but have since went 2-2. Two players led the offense as Rocio Fortuny and Mildrelis Rodriguez are averaging 2.7 kills per set.
UP NEXT
The Colonels return home for their next two matches, hosting Central Arkansas (Sept. 22) and Northwestern State (Sept. 24). All home volleyball matches are free admission.
