RUSTON, La. -- After opening the 2019 campaign behind a program-best 5-0 record, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team (5-0, 0-0 Southland) aims to fan the flames of the white-hot start at the LA Tech Invitational this weekend, squaring off against Mississippi Valley State (1:30 p.m.) and host Louisiana Tech (6:30 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 13 before closing out the roadtrip with Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.

Individually, the offensive load has been shouldered primarily by freshman OH Jackie Alanis (team-high 54 kills) along with sophomores OH Katie Jones (52 kills) & MB Aaliyah Burras (43 kills), a heavy majority of which were set up by junior S Meghan Wozniak (174 assists). On the defensive end, senior L Emily Venable leads the squad behind her 65 digs while both Burras & Jones have acted as key blocking agents, racking up a combined 27.0 blocks thus far into the year.

WHAT: The LA Tech Invitational
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 13 - Saturday, Sept. 14
WHERE: Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston, La.
MEDIA: Live Stats | Watch

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts
 

• Kallie Noble enters her first season leading the Colonels, and currently sports a 5-0 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.

UP NEXT
Following the trio of matches at the LA Tech Invitational, the Colonels turn their attention to the program's final non-conference tournament of the season, traveling to Mobile, Ala. from Friday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 21 for the South Alabama Invitational against Bethune-Cookman, Louisiana Tech & host South Alabama.

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