LAKE CHARLES, La. -- The Nicholls State University volleyball program (11-14, 5-9 Southland) stumbled in Saturday morning's league contest at in-state foe McNeese (11-15, 4-10 Southland), falling to the Cowgirls by a 3-1 final mark at H&HP Arena in Lake Charles, La. Per Saturday's SLC results, the Colonels remain in serious contention for one of the final two spots in the Southland Conference Tournament, as the Red & Gray currently rank in a tie for second amongst the final five programs still "alive" -- Southeastern Louisiana (7-7), Nicholls (5-9), New Orleans (5-9), McNeese (4-10) & Lamar (4-10).

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS (L 1-3)
-- Despite a strong showing this past Thursday against New Orleans, the Red & Gray struggled out of the gate Saturday morning, surrendering the opening two sets by a 25-13 margin to the Cowgirls. After Nicholls battled back with a 25-17 victory in third, McNeese sealed the match win behind another uneven set, claiming the fourth by a 25-18 final score.
-- Individually, sophomores RS Katie Jones & OH Emily Gauthreaux produced the only notable offensive numbers, posting a combined 23 kills on the day. For Gauthreaux, the Houma, La. native logged her fourth consecutive match with double-digit kills, not to mention her 16th overall this season. As for Jones, the sophomore moved up to 15 double-digit kill contests on the year as she secured her third straight.
-- Junior S Meghan Wozniak recorded 28 assists for the match along with eight digs & three kills.
-- Defensively, senior L Emily Venable paced the Red & Gray with the squad's only double-digit dig showing of the match, picking up 14 in total.

UP NEXT
With the conclusion of the regular season approaching, the Colonels steel themselves for their two final matchups of the year: at Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, Nov. 12 & back home for Senior Day on Thursday, Nov. 14 against HBU.

STAY SOCIAL
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