HOUSTON – The Nicholls volleyball team was defeated in straight sets, 25-17, 25-13, 25-18, by Houston Baptist Saturday afternoon at Sharp Gym.
 
Freshman Aaliyah Burras fronted the Colonels offense for the second consecutive contest, smashing seven kills. Sophomore middle blocker Kimberly Iwunze followed with six kills. Junior Heidi Carpenter neared a double-double with 11 assists and seven digs.
 
The Huskies (8-8, 1-1 SLC) held a 37-25 kills advantage and 10-4 blocks margin over the Colonels (2-13, 0-2 SLC). Mikayla Vivens struck a match-high 13 kills, adding 11 digs for a double-double.
 
Nicholls was within one at 10-9 in the opening set when HBU tallied seven of the next eight points to pull away. The Colonels only score in that stretch was an assisted block by Burras and sophomore Sydney Swann. Burras converted a kill in all three of her first-set attempts.

The Colonels took advantage of four Husky errors to build a 5-2 lead in the second. HBU roared back with seven consecutive points capped by a Vivans slam. Carpenter struck a kill later in the frame to bring Nicholls close at 12-11, but the Huskies countered with a 13-2 run to take the second set.
 
The Colonels scored the first two points of the deciding set before HBU responded with a 12-2 run to take control. Nicholls scored six of the final eight points but was unable to erase the 11-point defecit. Vivens pounded five kills in the final period and recorded at least four in each set.
 
The Colonels conclude their 16-match road stretch Tuesday at UNO. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
To stay up to date with Nicholls volleyball, follow the team on Instagram and Twitter @Nicholls_VB.