SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Nicholls State University volleyball squad dropped its match to the University of the Incarnate Word Saturday in four sets (25-18, 16-25, 25-23, 25-16) at the McDermott Center.

Junior right-side hitter Brieanna Hill paced the Colonels (2-16, 0-5 SLC) offensively with 14 kills on a .385 clip. Senior middle blocker Emily Weimer followed with nine kills, and junior setter Jade Piper neared a double-double with 34 assists and eight digs.

The Cardinals (3-9, 2-3 SLC) received a match-high 19 digs from Madelynn Miller and 15 kills from Autumn Lockley.

Weimer locked up the first set at eight points apiece after a kill before UIW used a five-point spurt to take control of the frame.

Nicholls held the lead from start to finish in the second set, tallying six of the first seven points. Hill recorded four kills in the set as the Colonels clicked with a .321 attacking percentage.

The third set featured eight ties and four lead changes. Tobison fired a kill to put Nicholls up one at 21-20, but the Cardinals responded with three straight points to steal the momentum and eventually the set.

The Colonels surrendered 10 of the first 13 points in the deciding set as UIW pulled away and sealed the match.

Nicholls returns to action against Sam Houston State Thursday in Stopher Gym. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. as the Colonels commence a four-match home stretch.

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