Live Stats
THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University volleyball team returns home after 11 straight matches on the road to host Central Arkansas and Northwestern State in Southland Conference play at Stopher Gym.
The Colonels (4-11) open up their conference slate on Thursday against UCA (6-7, 0-1) at 6:30 p.m. Nicholls will then take on instate rival Northwestern State (5-10) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Admission to all home volleyball games is free of charge.
Nicholls picked up a 3-0 victory in its lone home match this season as the Colonels defeated Southern University in the opening week. But following a road win over the Lady Jaguars, the Colonels have suffered seven straight losses as they head into league play.
Through 15 matches, the opposition has averaged two kills more per set than the Colonels and holds a 2.3 to 1.7 advantage in blocks. Nicholls is hitting at a .161 mark, while allowing a .213 percentage by the opponents.
The offensive attack has been spread out as five players are averaging at least 1.7 kills per set.
Stephanie Tobison not only leads the squad with 2.06 K/S, she is second on the team in digs with 2.79 per set. Defensive specialist
Alexa Perry has the most digs at 3.65 D/S and
Emily Weimer leads the team in blocks (42.0) and has the Southland's best hitting percentage at .323.
UCA enters the matchup winners of three of its last four. The Sugar Bears started the run with shutout wins over Tennessee Martin and Central Michigan before falling to Central Florida, 3-1. UCA's last outing was a 3-1 win over UNC Asheville.
UCA brings a .180 hitting percentage and has 79 aces on the season. The offense features four players averaging at least 2.0 K/S, highlighted by Haley Tippett's 2.59 average. At the net, Megan Nash turned in a 12-block performance in UCA's last outing and was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
The Sugar Bears have played one conference match already, dropping a 3-1 decision to UIW on Sept. 1.
Northwestern State has lost its last four matches, but will take on McNeese Thursday night for its conference opener. NSU's last win came on Sept. 9 against Lehigh in a 3-1 contest.
Alexis Warren heads the attack for NSU, ranking 10th in the Southland with 2.67 K/S. On defense, Channing Burleson is second in the SLC in digs with 5.22 per set.
Following Saturday's match, Nicholls will hit the road for the next three starting with a Sept. 29 contest against Sam Houston State.
