THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University volleyball team was downed in straight sets, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19, by Sam Houston State University Thursday night at Stopher Gym.

The Colonels (3-18, 1-7 SLC) were spearheaded offensively by senior Brieanna Hill's 13 kills. Junior Heidi Carpenter followed with 10 kills and added 17 assists for a double-double.

The Bearkats (13-5, 5-1) totaled 14.0 blocks, the highest three-set mark in the Southland this season. Taylor Cunningham pounded 21 kills and mirrored teammate Madison Wallace's match-high 12 digs for the double-double.

Nicholls grabbed the first point of the match but failed to record a kill until the ninth point when freshman Katie Jones fired a shot from the outside that put the Colonels within three at 6-3. Unfortunately, Cunningham smashed seven kills in the frame as the Bearkats used two separate three-point spurts to pull away.

While Nicholls surrendered the first five points of the second set, the Colonels used a 5-1 run trailing 8-4 to pull within one at 9-8. Nicholls managed to score six of seven points later in the frame to take a 16-14 advantage and seemed to be in control after a Carpenter kill made it 23-20. SHSU saved two set points at 24-22 before receiving an ace from Addison Miller and a kill via Cunningham to halt Nicholls' momentum.

The deciding frame consisted of 11 ties and four lead changes. Right after sophomore Kimberly Iwunze finessed a kill to give the Colonels a 15-14 edge, the Bearkats countered with a five-point scoring barrage and never surrendered the lead. Cunningham found two kills in SHSU's final three points, one of which was bumped over on a serve and landed on the boundary line.

Nicholls returns to action Saturday against Abilene Christian. First serve at Stopher Gym is scheduled for noon.

To stay up to date with Nicholls volleyball, follow the team on Instagram and Twitter @Nicholls_VB.