Tournament Central

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Nicholls State University volleyball squad was on the wrong end of two four-setters Friday against Jacksonville State and UL-Lafayette at the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic at Earl K. Long Gym.

Jacksonville State 3, Nicholls 1

Senior middle blocker Emily Weimer totaled a team-high 10 kills, and sophomore Emily Venable collected 19 digs at libero. Junior Jade Piper took over primary setting duties and nearly converted a double-double with 28 assists and nine digs.

JSU's Mackenzie Rombach (13), Charis Ludtke (11) and Allyson Zuhlke (10) accumulated double-digit kills. Setter Jennifer Hart registered 30 assists and 19 digs, and libero Hannah Kirk dug a match-high 22 attacks.

After the Gamecocks won the first set 25-13, the Colonels (0-5) battled back to take the second 25-20 and held the lead from start to finish. The onslaught began with Nicholls tallying four of the first five points, highlighted by a kill from sophomore Kaitlyn Coffey.

JSU would close the deficit to one several times, including at 18-17, but the Colonels closed on an 8-4 run capped by back-to-back kills from junior right-side hitter Brieanna Hill and Coffey.

Rombach took over in the third set, firing four kills during the first 11 points as the Gamecocks jumped out to a 7-4 edge. After a kill by Ludtke later in the set increased JSU's advantage to 23-15, Nicholls went on a five-point spurt sparked by a kill and two assisted blocks by Weimer. The two sides traded two-point runs and a Colonels attack error ended the comeback bid.

The fourth set featured 11 ties yet just two lead changes. Tied at 25, Kaylee Frear and Zuhlke provided consecutive kills to secure the victory for the Gamecocks.

UL-Lafayette 3, Nicholls 1

Senior Stephanie Tobison (18 kills, 16 digs), Hill (20 digs, 11 kills) and Piper (40 assists, 11 digs) each recorded double-doubles as the Colonels dropped its second four-setter of the day against UL-Lafayette.  Tobison's 18 kills and Hill's 20 digs served as new career highs.

Venable managed 24 digs, nearly matching Ragin' Cajuns libero Sydney Davis' 25. The difference in the contest was in the blocking department, where UL-Lafayette held a 17-3 advantage. The Ragin' Cajuns also received a match-high 22 kills from Hali Wisnoskie.

The first set saw 12 ties before UL-Lafayette grabbed a two-point edge at 22-20. Still holding true at 24-22, Wisnoskie smashed her fifth kill of the opening set to give the Ragin' Cajuns a 1-0 advantage.

Nicholls responded in the second set, trailing by as much as six at 20-14 before an 11-5 run tied the frame at 25. Weimer and Lerille scored back-to-back kills to tie the match.

UL-Lafayette controlled the final two sets, only losing the lead one time as Wisnoskie poured in 13 kills between the two. The Ragin' Cajuns attacked at a .310 clip in the final frame.

The Colonels conclude the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic Saturday when it faces Mississippi Valley State at 2 p.m.

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