THIBODAUX, La. -- Following a tight road loss against UNO to kickoff the Southland slate, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team (6-6, 0-1 Southland) looks to rebound in the team's league home opener, squaring off against in-state opponent McNeese (7-6, 0-1 Southland) on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. in Stopher Gym. The Cowgirls enter the contest riding a two-match losing streak, including an straight-sets sweep by fellow conference foe Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday evening; meanwhile, the Red & Gray aim to snap a six-game skid after starting off the season with a program-best 6-0 record.

Offensively, the Colonels continue to rely primarily on a key trio of sophomores -- MB Aaliyah Burras, OH Emily Gauthreaux & RS Katie Jones -- combining for over 300 kills on the season and a majority of the squad's attacking statistics (53.6 percent), plus individual kills per set ratios of 2.37 or better. Trailing just behind at 97 total kills thus far, freshman OH Jackie Alanis maintains a team-best kills per set ratio (2.85) in addition to leading the Red & Gray in service aces, posting 13 on the year.

Defensively, senior L Emily Venable & junior OH Kate Hoerdemann have emerged as the primary diggers for the team as a whole, totaling 293 for the season; at the net, Burras also serves as the Colonel's main blocking presence, notching 33.0 thus far.

WHAT: Nicholls vs. McNeese
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28 | 1 p.m.
WHERE: Stopher Gym | Thibodaux, 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 6-6 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 league contest against the Cowgirls, the Red & Gray wrap up the short two-game home stand against rival Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, Oct. 1, first serve set for 7 p.m. at Stopher Gym.

STAY SOCIAL
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