THIBODAUX, La. -- In spite of numerous spurts of positive energy and highly competitive play over the course of the weekend, the Nicholls State University indoor volleyball program (7-10, 0-5 SLC) endured back-to-back misfires in the team's return Stopher Gym, initially dropping a tough 3-1 match to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (9-7, 5-0 SLC) on Thursday evening before falling short in a hotly-contested clash against UIW (8-11, 3-2 SLC) late Saturday afternoon.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
GAME ONE vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (L 1-3) -- Thursday, Oct. 7
-- Despite jumping out ahead of the Islanders behind a four-point victory in the first set, the defending Southland champions battled back with a fury across the ensuing frames, rattling off three consecutive wins -- including a tight 27-25 fourth set -- to secure the match.
-- Individually, the Red & Gray composed a strong offensive performance behind a trio of double-digit kill outings, as senior Emily Gauthreaux led the way behind a season second-best 18 while fellow senior Aaliyah Burras and redshirt junior S'mara Riley notched 10 apiece. Meanwhile, junior Lilly Bivens put together a notable showing as the squad's primary setter, collecting her seventh double-double of the campaign via a 33-assist, 15-dig performance.
-- Defensively, senior Kate Hoerdemann paced the squad with 16 digs while both Bivens and fellow senior Kylie Lockhart added on 15 each; additionally, both Riley and Burras proved a tough duo to get around, combining for eight blocks on the contest.

GAME TWO vs. UIW (L 2-3) -- Saturday, Oct. 9
-- In play reminiscent of many Nicholls non-conference victories, the Colonels bolted out ahead of UIW behind a pair of victories in the first (26-24) and second (25-16) sets, surging to a quick lead; the Cardinals, however, found the energy to climb back into the match, powering past the Red & Gray in the third (25-9) and fourth (26-24) frames before clinching the eventual match victory with a strong showing in the fifth (15-6).
-- Individually, Riley proved the team's workhorse both offensively and defensively, pacing the squad behind a season-high 13 kills along with a notable four blocks. Flying under the radar, per the usual, Bivens collected her eighth double-double of the year as the junior earned 37 assists as well as 12 digs.
-- Defensively, Lockhart impressed with a season second-best 24 digs as well.
 
UP NEXT
With the open pair of home matches concluded, the Red & Gray brace for the final two of the four-game stretch, battling in-state rival Southeastern on Thursday, Oct. 14 before locking swords with Northwestern State on Saturday, Oct. 16.

STAY SOCIAL
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