THIBODAUX, La. -- The Nicholls State University women's volleyball program (0-0, 0-0 Southland) launches the 2019 season under first-year head coach Kallie Noble later this weekend, opening with a roadtrip to the Mercer Bears Classic, a three-match preseason tournament set for Friday, Aug. 30 through Saturday, Sept. 1 in Macon, Ga. Following nearly a year of initializing a rebuild, Noble & Co. have their sights set higher than just finding a way into the Southland Conference Tournament, aiming rather at instituting a culture dedicated to prolonged success and designed to promote a passion for the sport.

"Players here at Nicholls have to understand I didn't come to Thibodaux to hopefully get a little better or hopefully make the conference tournament," Noble said. "My staff and I want to turn this into a destination for top players in our region. We want to have real success and make everyone proud. We want to be around fun, passionate people who know that when it is go time, we go hard. We play a challenging preseason schedule that will certainly prepare us for our conference schedule. With a young team, it is good for them to be on the road early, and it allows them to have less distractions and learn the ins and outs of winning road games."

Notable returners include senior defensive specialist Emily Venable, who served primarily as last season's libero -- team-high 100 sets played -- and posted squad-bests in digs (359, 3.59 digs/set), receptions (39) and service aces (27). Meanwhile, junior Kimberly Iwunze and sophomore Aaliyah Burras return as two key middle blockers, picking up a combined 124.0 blocks (.66 blocks/set) during the 2018 campaign with just 23 total errors. On the outside, sophomore Katie Jones aims to continue her strong collegiate campaign, ranking third on last season's squad in kills (150) with a tie for first in kills/set (2.24).

"We have eight newcomers this season and 19 players that can all contribute," Noble added. "There will be a lot of competition in every position and I am excited to see which of our athletes will step up."

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
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• Kallie Noble enters her first season leading the Colonels, sporting a 0-0 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.

After officially opening the 2019 campaign at the Mercer Bears Classic -- the first of four preseason tournaments -- the Red & Gray shift focus to Southland Conference play on Sept. 26, traveling to in-state rival New Orleans to battle the Privateers. On the home front, Noble kicks off her inaugural season at the helm in style, securing the program's first Thibodaux-based tournament since 2011 as the team hosts the Colonels Classic on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7 against Alcorn State.

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