BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Nicholls State University volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision, 25-19, 25-17, 25-18, to Bowling Green State University Saturday in its final match of the BGSU Invitational at the Stroh Center.

The Colonels record fell to 2-11 while the Falcons improved to 6-7. Junior Heidi Carpenter was named to the all-tournament team following her triple-double against IUPUI.

Nicholls' offense was spearheaded by senior Brieanna Hill's six kills. The Berwick native was followed by Carpenter and freshman Aaliyah Burras with five kills apiece. Unfortunately the Colonels committed more errors (26) than total team kills (24).

BGSU received five kills apiece from Jaqueline Askin, Madeline Brandewie and Katie Kidwell. The Falcons never surrendered the lead at any point in the match, holding a heavy presence at the net with 11 blocks.

Nicholls fell in a 10-4 hole early in the first set with the last two points being scored by BGSU's Isabelle Marciniak via back-to-back service aces. The Colonels tallied five of the final eight points but three- and four-point spurts by the Falcons midway through the period proved to be the difference.

Nicholls was within a point five times in the second frame. With the Colonels trailing 15-13, BGSU pulled away with a 4-0 run with Brandewie contributing two blocks.

Five early Nicholls attacking errors in the deciding set handed the Falcons a sizable 9-2 margin. The Colonels hung around, managing four consecutive points capped by two Hill kills to pull with one at 12-11. BGSU responded by scoring six of the next seven to seize Nicholls' momentum and eventually take the match.

The Colonels commence conference play Thursday at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.  

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