NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- After clinching a pair of key conference victories this past weekend, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball program (10-7, 4-2 Southland) looks to maintain the team's three-match win streak as Colonels hit the road, initially traveling to Southland undefeated Stephen F. Austin (18-1, 6-0 Southland) on Thursday evening before heading south to Beaumont, Texas for a contest at Lamar (6-10, 1-5 Southland) on Saturday afternoon.

Individually, the Colonels have relied on a pair of sophomores -- OH Emily Gauthreaux & RS Katie Jones -- for a solid chunk of the team's offensive production, combining on the season for nearly 350 total kills. The former also leads the Red & Gray in service aces (25) and currently ranks 77th nationally (sixth within the Southland) in the category; meanwhile, junior S Meghan Wozniak continues to maintain her second overall ranking in the conference for both assists (612) and assists per set (9.13), trailing only New Orleans' Lucie Pokorna. 

Defensively, senior L Emily Venable has consistently posted strong numbers in terms of digs, owning 251 on the season and sitting just seven short of entering the program's all-time top five for the category.

WHAT: Nicholls at Stephen F. Austin
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 17 | 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Shelton Gym | Nacogdoches, Texas
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch

WHAT: Nicholls at Lamar
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 | 1 p.m.
WHERE: McDonald Gym | Beaumont, Texas
MEDIA: Live Stats

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts
 

• Kallie Noble enters her first season leading the Colonels, and currently sports a 10-7 (4-2) overall record with the Red & Gray.
• The team boasts two seniors: DS Emily Venable and OH Jennifer Olivarez.
• This year's roster is highlighted by eight newcomers, as junior OH Kate Hoerdemann joined the program as transfer from Memphis while freshmen DS Rebecka Bollinger, OH Devon Bright, DS Bailey Lyons, OH Jackie Alanis, S Lilly Bivens, OH/S Jaida Felix and MB Abigail Bouzigard signed on directly from high school.
• This season's depth chart features seven players from across the state of Louisiana, six from Texas, a pair from Illinois and one from each of the following: Georgia, Indiana, Missouri and South Carolina.
• The Colonels were projected to finish 12th in the Southland Conference, per the league's preseason poll.
• Nicholls returns four of last season's seven starters, including senior DS Emily Venable, junior MB Kimberly Iwunze and sophomores MB Aaliyah Burras & RS/OH Katie Jones.

UP NEXT
After kicking off the roadtrip at SFA & Lamar, the Red & Gray aim to close out their four-match away stretch on a high note, shifting focus to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi next Thursday night before traveling to Sam Houston State the ensuing Saturday.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Volleyball, follow the team on Twitter (@Nicholls_VB), Instagram (@nicholls_vb) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Volleyball).