ABILENE, Texas -- Despite bolting out to a strong start, highlighted by the first opening set victory of the year, the Nicholls State University volleyball program (0-6, 0-5 SLC) failed to find any late-match rhythm in Thursday evening's Southland battle against Abilene Christian (5-2, 4-1 SLC), faltering by a final 3-1 margin after surrendering three consecutive frames to the Wildcats at the Teague Center in Abilene, Texas.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS (L 1-3)
-- After a quick surge put the Red & Gray out in the front during the initial frame, the Colonels were forced to hold off a late comeback by the host Wildcats, fighting off a late set point (23-24) en route to three straight scores for a tight 26-24 win. Abilene Christian battled back, however, as the Wildcats initially knotted the match with a 25-19 victory in the second frame before picking up the final two sets in quick succession by four- and seven-point victories, respectively.
-- Senior Kate Hoerdemann seemed to return to last year's form as the outside hitter notched her first double-double of the season, leading the squad with 12 kills while adding on 14 digs. Throughout the 2019 campaign, the Illinois native paced the team -- along with then-sophomore Emily Gauthreaux -- with seven double-doubles, including an 11 kill/19 dig performance against ACU.
-- Meanwhile, junior Aaliyah Burras impressed with the squad's only other double-digit kill mark, racking up 10 on the night to go along with her team-high five blocks.
-- On the assists front, a pair of Colonels -- senior Meghan Wozniak and sophomore Jaida Felix -- combined for a solid outing in the category, as the former racked up 26 while the latter trailed just behind with 18 of her own.
-- Defensively, junior libero Kylie Lockhart once again handled the primary dig burden, registering a squad-best 21 for the match.
 
UP NEXT
With Thursday evening's contest against Abilene Christian wrapped up, the Colonels turn their attention to the final match of their two-game Texas road stretch, heading south to San Antonio for a Saturday morning clash with UIW, first serve set for 11 a.m.

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