THIBODAUX, La. -- In spite of yet-another seemingly insurmountable two-set differential, the Nicholls State University volleyball program (0-5, 0-4 SLC) managed to orchestrate the team's most tacit display of resiliency of the young 2021 spring campaign, generating a nearly-lethal comeback effort -- powered primarily by a breakout performance from freshman Yani Johnson -- in Thursday evening's league tilt against HBU (2-5, 1-0 SLC), eventually falling to the Huskies by just three points in the decisive final frame to close out a tight 3-2 loss at Stopher Gym.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS (L 2-3)
-- The opening pair of sets proved uneventful for the Red & Gray as the Huskies worked to control the tempo and build early leads, downing the Colonels by a 12- and seven-point margins, respectively, for a initial 2-0 advantage. The third frame, however, proved a sudden turning point for the besieged Colonels, as the squad rallied to keep pace with the still-tough HBU hitters before, for the first time in the match, overtaking the Huskies' edge at 14-13, eventually outpacing the visitors by just two points to claim the set. The fourth featured a fiery Red & Gray, as one four-point and two three-point runs secured the victory and a winner-take-all fifth set. The final frame featured mostly back-and-forth action between both squads, eventually settling at 11 apiece before HBU surged to the match win on a 4-1 swing.
-- Johnson, who even managed to earn herself starts in both the third and fifth sets, impressed behind a team- and career-high 13 kills, lighting up the HBU defense behind a stunning .579 hitting percentage and just two total errors. Fellow freshman Jhayla Bolden put in a solid body of work as well, coming on strong down the stretch with five kills and two blocks.
-- Meanwhile, junior Emily Gauthreaux contributed her second double-double of the season, ranking second on the squad in both kills (11) and digs (12). Senior Meghan Wozniak also logged a notable offensive showing, registering a personal year-best 33 assists on the night.
-- Defensively, junior Kylie Lockhart composed a unshakable effort as the team's libero, recording a career-high 26 digs, while fellow junior Aaliyah Burras tacked on a season-best five blocks as well.
 
UP NEXT
Following back-to-back Southland contests with Southeastern Louisiana and HBU, the Red & Gray receive another lengthy break -- this time just a week -- before hitting the road once again, trekking west to distant league members Abilene Christian (Feb. 25) and UIW (Feb. 27) to close out the month.

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