CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Freshman Aaliyah Burras and senior Brieanna Hill provided nine and eight kills, respectively for the Nicholls volleyball team in a 25-23, 25-15, 25-23 straight-set loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday night at the Dugan Wellness Center.

The Colonels (2-12, 0-1 SLC) fell behind 11-5 in the first set but used a Burras kill and Emily Venable ace later in the frame to pull within two at 16-14. Nicholls eventually tied the Islanders (2-12, 1-0 SLC) at 23 before two consecutive kills by the home side concluded the set. Burras, who swung a career-best .667, converted four of her career-high nine kills in the opening set.

Nicholls jumped ahead 3-2 early in the second helped by one kill each from Burras and Hill. A&M-Corpus Christi responded with an eight-point run and never surrendered the advantage from that point. Hill smashed four kills in the second period.

The two sides traded 4-0 runs in the deciding set when the Islanders grabbed an 8-7 edge thanks to three straight service aces from Jenna Lyons. Later trailing 22-15, the Colonels stormed back with five consecutive points capped by a kill from junior Heidi Carpenter to make it 22-20. Nicholls saved two set points down 24-21 before Madison Green ended the match with a kill.

A&M-Corpus Christi was fronted by nine kills apiece via Kylie Filipiak and Green. The Islanders finished with an 11-3 advantage in the aces column.

The Colonels travel to Houston Baptist Saturday for their next match. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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