Tournament Central

THIBODAUX, La. – Competing in its final tuneup matches before Southland Conference play, the Nicholls State University volleyball squad heads to the Memphis Invitational for three matches this weekend at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.

The Colonels (2-8) will face UT-Martin and Memphis Friday and Louisiana-Monroe Saturday.

The emergence of freshman outside Imanie Williams lifted Nicholls to a straight-set victory over Mississippi Valley State Tuesday. The Hutto, Texas, native provided a career-high 16 kills on a .424 clip. Senior outside hitter Stephanie Tobison and junior setter Jade Piper each contributed a double-double in the sweep.

The Colonels are generating plenty of opportunities offensively, ranking atop the SLC in team attacks (37.4) and digs per set (16.8). Sophomore Emily Venable made the switch from setter to libero at the beginning of the season and now sits fourth in the SLC in digs per set (4.1).

UT-Martin
Friday, Sept. 15 | 12 p.m.

The Skyhawks (4-6) most recently recorded their best weekend of the 2017 season, finishing with a 2-1 record at the Dunn Hospitality Invitational. UTM picked up wins against host Evansville and UAB and dropped a match with Indiana.

The Skyhawks feature an All-OVC middle blocker in Jemima Idemudia, who was named to the Dunn Hospitality All-Tournament Team along with libero Brooke Gyori.  

All-time record versus UT-Martin: 2-2
Last match: W, 3-2 (Sept. 14, 2013)

Memphis
Friday, Sept. 15 | 5 p.m.

The Tigers are coming off of their second consecutive 2-1 tournament showing, topping Sam Houston State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff despite falling to host Louisiana Tech at the Lady Techster Invitational.

Brianna Kadiku, Memphis' leader in blocks last season, averages a team-high 0.94 blocks per set, good for 12th in the AAC. Fellow sophomore Tai Bierria ranks 12th in kills per set.

All-time record versus Memphis: 2-4
Last match: L, 0-3 (Sept. 12, 2014)

Louisiana-Monroe
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 12 p.m.

The Warhawks (3-10) dropped a five-setter to Northwestern State Tuesday. Senior middle blocker Jennifer McClendon fired a career-high 19 kills.

Senior libero Kacey LeBlanc was deemed the Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. She concluded her junior year with 497 digs. Sophomore Mikaela Worley fronts the team offensively with 2.2 kills per set.

All-time record versus Louisiana-Monroe: 32-11
Last match: L, 1-3 (Sept. 16, 2016)

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