MOBILE, Ala. -- With just one weekend left before opening conference play, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team (6-2, 0-0 Southland) looks to rekindle the fiery start to the season at the South Alabama Invitational, matching wits against Bethune-Cookman (11:30 a.m.) and Louisiana Tech (4:30 p.m.) on Friday, Sept. 20 before closing out the tournament with host South Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m.

Offensively, the Red & Gray have prospered by sharing the load between a core of productive talent, including freshman OH Jackie Alanis (75 kills) and sophomores RS Katie Jones (75 kills) & MB Aaliyah Burras (72 kills). Under the radar, junior S Meghan Wozniak continues to meet her quota as the team's primary setter, posting 264 assists on the year already with with 17 kills and seven service aces. Defensively, the Colonels have largely relied on both senior L Emily Venable (101 digs) & junior transfer Kate Hoerdemann (68 digs), but sophomore DS Kylie Lockhart (60 digs) has become a force in recent tournaments.

WHAT: The South Alabama Invitational
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20 - Saturday, Sept. 21
WHERE: Jag Gym | Mobile, Ala.
MEDIA: Live Stats - Bethune Cookman | Watch
Live Stats - Louisiana Tech | Watch
Live Stats - South Alabama | Watch

COMPLETE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
Roster | Schedule | Quick Facts
 

• Kallie Noble enters her first season leading the Colonels, and currently sports a 6-2 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 wrapping up the South Alabama Invitational, the Colonels immediately shift focus to Southland opening weekend, initially traveling to New Orleans to battle UNO on Friday, Sept. 26 before returning home to host in-state rival McNeese on Sunday, Sept. 28.

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).