BEAUMONT, Texas – Rally swings were the story of Thursday night's volleyball match between Nicholls State University and Lamar University, and the Cardinals used an 8-1 run in the deciding set to win the match at McDonald Gym.

Following a close 26-24 set one victory by Lamar (5-11, 2-3 SLC), the Colonels (3-16, 1-5 SLC) responded with a late three-point scoring barrage to take the second set 25-22, sparked by a solo block from freshman Aaliyah Burras.

Nicholls trailed 24-20 in the third set and saved four set points before eventually stealing the frame 28-26, capped by a service ace from junior Jennifer Olivarez. The Colonels erased a five-point deficit and trailed 22-21 in the fourth when the Cardinals countered by scoring three of the next four to send the match into the fifth. Nina Pevic recorded the final three kills for Lamar.

Nicholls appeared to have control in the fifth set with a 14-9 edge, but the Cardinals stormed back with five straight to tie the frame and shift the momentum. The two teams traded points before back-to-back kills by Lamar's Bre'Ala Box closed out the match.

Senior Brieanna Hill spearheaded the Colonels with 14 kills; the Berwick native has pounded double-digit kills in three of the last four matches. Freshman Katie Jones followed with nine kills and Olivarez and junior Heidi Carpenter chipped in seven a piece. Olivarez and freshman Aaliyah Burras totaled a career-high four service aces, contributing to Nicholls' team total of 14, the most since 2013.

Pevic accumulated a match-high 17 kills while teammates Ivette Dim (15), Tomar Thomas (14) and Dannisha House (11) also amassed double figures. The Cardinals swung at a .312 clip compared to just .165 for the Colonels.

Nicholls returns to action Saturday at McNeese. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.

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