BEAUMONT, Texas – The Nicholls State University volleyball team erased a seven-point deficit in one set and tallied late runs during two 23-point ties to top Lamar Thursday in four sets (22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 26-24) at McDonald Gym.

Freshman outside hitter Imanie Williams totaled a team-high 15 kills while senior outside hitter Stephanie Tobison (12 kills, 11 digs) and junior setter Jade Piper (42 assists, 19 digs) contributed double-doubles. Sophomore libero Emily Venable chipped in a match-high 22 digs.

The Cardinals (3-16, 1-8 SLC) were fronted by Tomar Thomas' 15 kills.

After going down 24-18 in the opening frame, the Colonels (4-19, 2-8 SLC) tallied five straight points, lifted by a kill and an assisted block from Weimer, before a service error ended the chances of a comeback. Weimer totaled four kills in the set.

Nicholls took control early in the second, tallying four of the first five points. Later leading 15-13, a five-point spurt sparked by two Williams kills lifted the Colonels to a comfortable 20-13 advantage that would not be overcome.

The Cardinals held a 17-10 lead in the third set before Nicholls stormed back to take nine of the next 12 points. After Lamar scored two in a row to make it 22-19, The Colonels used a four-point jolt to take its first lead at 23-22. A Cardinals kill tied it at 23 before a Weimer kill and Brieanna Hill ace gave Nicholls a 2-1 set edge.

The decisive set consisted of eight ties and six lead changes. The Colonels saved a set point at 24-23 on a Williams kill. The Colonels then closed the match on a Cardinals attacking error and Alexa Perry ace.

Nicholls looks to carry this momentum into its next match at SFA on Saturday. First serve is set for noon.

For the latest news on Nicholls volleyball, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_VB.