THIBODAUX, La. - Another early deficit for the Nicholls State University volleyball team proved to be too much to overcome, as the Colonels dropped a 3-1 decision (23-25, 20-25, 27-25, 21-25) Thursday night at Stopher Gymnasium. 

With the loss, Nicholls slipped to 9-14, 2-9 SLC while McNeese upped its mark to  improved to 14-9, 8-4 SLC. 

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
-- McNeese used the 1-2 punch of Anyse Smith (22 kills) and Aryn Johnson (16) on offense, finishing the night with a .264 hitting percentage.
-- Nicholls was led by Aaliyah Burras with 13 kills. She was the lone Colonel in double figures in the category. Emily Gauthreaux added nine kills and S'mara Riley and Kate Hoerdemann had eight each.
-- The third-set victory was by far the best showing for the Red and Gray, racking up 20 kills with a .289 hitting clip. Their second highest mark was at `.156 in the fourth.
-- In the third, Gauthreaux rattled off four consecutive kills to give Nicholls a 21-20 advantage. The Colonels never faced match point before Burras and Devon Bright ended it with back-to-back kills.
-- McNeese jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth and never trailed in the set. Nicholls cut the deficit to 21-20 before the Cowgirls went on to complete the season sweep. 

UP NEXT
Nicholls will play its final home match at 1 p.m. on Saturday, hosting the HBU Huskies.

STAY SOCIAL
For more information on Colonels Indoor & Beach Volleyball, follow both teams on Twitter (@Nicholls_VB), Instagram (@nicholls_vb) and like their Facebook page (Nicholls Volleyball).