WESTLAKE, La. -- Despite coming off back-to-back tough losses at Southern Miss and versus UNO, the Nicholls State University volleyball program (0-3, 0-2 SLC) showcased a valiant recovery in Saturday afternoon's Southland Conference road opener at McNeese (2-0, 2-0 SLC), barely dropping a back-and-forth contest to the Cowgirls by a final 3-2 set score at SP Arnett Middle School.

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS (L 2-3)
-- The host Cowgirls managed to claim the initial set with relative ease, holding off a late Red & Gray push to pick up a 25-22 win along with a 1-0 lead. The Colonels were quick to respond, however, inverting the first frame's score for a second set victory before surging to a match advantage with a 26-24 win in the third. McNeese rallied to a solid 25-19 victory in the fourth frame before squeezing past a tough Nicholls attack in the decisive fifth, securing the match behind a 17-15 final mark.
-- Individually, senior Kate Hoerdemann put together a team season-best offensive performance behind 19 kills, logging a lethal .289 hitting percentage for the match. Meanwhile, junior Emily Gauthreaux posted another consistent outing as well, recording a season-high of her own with 15 kills on a .225 hitting percentage.
-- Sophomore Jaida Felix notched the first start of her young career as the Red & Gray's primary setter, pacing the squad with 37 assists on the day. Senior Meghan Wozniak also contributed to the category, securing 19 assists as well.
-- Defensively, junior Kylie Lockhart maintained her role as the Nicholls libero, leading the team behind 17 digs, while fellow junior Aaliyah Burras paced the squad with four block assists.
 
UP NEXT
With two consecutive postponements (at Southeastern Louisiana, vs. HBU) clouding the schedule, the Colonels next match is currently slated for Thursday, Feb. 18 against Houston Baptist, first serve set for 7 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
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