THIBODAUX, La. – Sophomore middle blocker Kimberly Iwunze tagged a career-high 11 kills as the Nicholls State University volleyball team was swept, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23, Saturday afternoon by the University of New Orleans in Stopher Gym.

Iwunze committed just one error in 19 attempts for an outstanding .526 hitting percentage. The Rockwall, Texas, native slammed one kill in the first set, four in the second and six in the third. Senior Brieanna Hill and freshman Aaliyah Burras chipped in seven kills apiece, and junior Heidi Carpenter added a double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs.

Burras pounded a kill early in the first set to give the Colonels (3-24, 1-13 SLC) a 5-4 margin. The Privateers (12-17, 6-8) made two 6-1 runs in the frame and slammed 19 kills to take the first set 25-19.

The two sides went back and forth early in the second set, but UNO solidified its 12-11 advantage with a five-point spurt that was helped by four Nicholls errors. The Colonels were unable to recover as the Privateers closed out the set, 25-19, to go ahead 2-0.

Back-to-back Privateer errors handed the Colonels a 15-13 edge in the deciding set, but UNO turned it around with a five-point run capped by two consecutive kills from Kyra Hunter to take an 18-15 lead. Tied at 19, the two sides traded eight points to knot the set at 23 apiece when the Privateers tallied two straight points to seal the match.

UNO's Kaitlyn Grice and Hunter spearheaded the squad with nine kills apiece while Omoghibo contributed eight. Amanda Wurster finished with 18 assists and 11 digs for the double-double.

Nicholls hosts league-leader Stephen F. Austin Thursday for Senior Night, honoring Hill, Alexa Perry and Jade Piper. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

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