COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Nicholls State University volleyball team dropped a 25-8, 25-13, 25-12 decision to Missouri State University Thursday evening in its first match of the Texas A&M Invitational.

The Colonels fell to 2-6 on the season while the Bears improved to 4-4.

A bright spot for the Red and Gray was junior libero Emily Venable, who contributed a season-high 17 digs. Senior Brieanna Hill and junior Jennifer Olivarez chipped in a team-high four kills each.

Nicholls failed to get anything going in the first set at Reed Arena as MSU tallied 13 of the first 16 points. The Colonels pulled off two straight points on a kill from junior Heidi Carpenter and a solo block from sophomore middle blocker Kimberly Iwunze but only managed three more scores for the remainder of the set.

Nicholls tried to rebound in the second, tallying six of nine points midway through to trail 17-10. MSU closed the frame on an 8-3 run thanks to two kills by Ashley Ophoven.

The Colonels were down just one at 10-9 in the deciding set when the Bears took advantage of a service error, notching nine of the next 10 points to gain control and eventually seal the match.

Nicholls faces host Texas A&M Friday at 10 a.m. on SECN+ and closes the event against Pepperdine at 4:30 p.m.

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