Final Stats 1 | Final Stats 2 | Final Stats 3 THIBODAUX, La. -- Strengthened by a well-balanced effort across the board, the Nicholls State University indoor volleyball program (3-0, 0-0 SLC) managed to secure an impressive triple sweep of visiting competition in the program's season-opening tournament at The Colonel Classic, outgunning both Texas Southern (1-2, 0-0 SWAC) and Niagara (2-1, 0-0 MAAC) across a Friday doubleheader before cruising past Southern (0-3, 0-0 SWAC) in the weekend finale on Saturday morning, all at Stopher Gym in Thibodaux, La.

For the weekend, the Red & Gray enjoyed two exceptionally stellar individual performances from freshman Paige Guidry and senior Aaliyah Burras, as the former racked up 25 kills behind a team-best .451 hitting percentage while the latter generated squad-highs in both kills (28) and blocks (9) while adding in five service aces. Notably, Guidry's overall outing pushed her into second statistically Southland-wide in hitting percentage along with first in kills per set (4.17) while Burras locked down second in service aces and eighth in blocks per set (1.00).

KEY STORYLINES & STATISTICS
GAME ONE vs. Texas Southern (W 3-0) -- Friday, Aug. 27
-- Powered by a consistent offensive attack throughout, the Red & Gray rolled right out of the gate in the team's 2021 fall debut, completely dominating the Tigers in the first and third sets en route to the straight sets victory. Notably, Nicholls generated massive gaps in two particular statistical categories: aces and blocks, racking up a solid 10 in the former and five in the latter while surrendering zero to Texas Southern for the match.
-- Individually, senior Emily Gauthreaux served as the key contributor for the Colonels both offensively and down in the trenches, collecting her first double-double of the year behind a 10 kill, 10 dig performance. Overall, the Houma native hit a blazing .391 off the block while also picking up two service aces and one block assist.
-- Meanwhile, the setting duties were split relatively evenly between junior Lilly Bivens and freshman Brooke Weichbrodt, as the pair combined for 37 assists on the match. Further, the dynamic duo showcased lethal serving expertise as well, as Weichbrodt locked down a team-best four aces while Bivens added in one.
-- Defensively, senior Kylie Lockhart, who maintained her role as the squad's libero from this past season, led the way with 14 digs while redshirt junior S'Mara paced the team behind three blocks
-- For the contest, four Colonels -- Paige Guidry, Taylor Kotlarz, Kadie Becnel and Weichbrodt -- earned their collegiate debuts while East Carolina transfer S'mara Riley notched her first-ever match sporting the Red & Gray.

GAME TWO vs. Niagara (W 3-0) -- Friday, Aug. 27
-- Bolstered by the early win over Texas Southern, the Colonels charged into the twin bill finale against Niagara with some notable momentum, upending the Purple Hawks in the opening frame by a 25-14 margin. Niagara, however, managed to battle back across the final two sets, taking quick leads the Red & Gray were forced to overcome midway through en route to the straight-sets sweep. As a team, the Colonels put on an even stronger performance than the first contest, hitting a brilliant. .351 overall with two aces and five blocks.
-- Individually, the offensive engine found some rhythm off the combined efforts of senior Aaliyah Burras and freshman Paige Guidry, as the pair each compiled double-digit kills for a joint 24 on the match.
-- Once again, Bivens and Weichbrodt notched crucial setting contributions, generating a combined 43 as the former racked up 24 while the latter added 19 of her own.
-- Defensively, Lockhart set the tone for the second consecutive match, securing back-to-back double-digit dig outings behind a squad-high 11.

GAME THREE vs. Southern (W 3-0) -- Saturday, Aug. 28
-- The Red & Gray managed to close out the weekend behind their most decisive showing of the tournament, outmatching Southern in virtually every facet of the game throughout a straight-sets sweep of the Jaguars. For the match, Nicholls compiled a killer .312 hitting percentage, a 14-to-1 advantage in service aces and a 9-to-2 edge in total blocks.
-- Individually, Guidry shined once again as the squad's top overall weapon, pacing the squad in both kills (10) and digs (13) en route to her first-ever double-double; additionally, Gauthreaux and Burras impressed as well, contributing a joint 17 kills while the latter tacked on a devastating six blocks along with three service aces.
-- Flying under the radar, Bivens took over primary setting duties as the junior notching 26 assists for the day, adding 12 digs as well for a double-double of her own.
 
UP NEXT
With the weekend tournament wrapped up, the Red & Gray maintain focus on their home court as national contender Northern Arizona checks in for a midweek non-conference match on Tuesday, Aug. 31, first serve slated for 7 p.m. at Stopher Gym.

STAY SOCIAL
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