MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Nicholls State University volleyball team started off its season with a loss in five sets (26-24, 16-25, 25-17, 18-25, 12-15) to the University of Memphis in the Tiger Brawl, on Friday afternoon.

The Colonels' attack was paced by senior Devon Bright, who led all scorers with a career-high 26 kills hitting at .379 with only four errors. Her 26 kills were the most recorded by a Colonel since 2015. Bright filled the stat sheet, adding four service aces, two blocks, and registered a double-double with a team-high 16 digs.

Also chipping in, was sophomores Trinity Vinzant and Kendall Battistella who each recorded double-doubles in their Colonel debut. Vinzant finished the contest with 13 kills and 14 digs, while Battistella tallied 26 assists and 10 digs.

Senior setter Lilly Bivens helped pace the Colonel's offense with 21 assists and nine digs. Sophomore libero Kadie Becnel added 15 digs.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair with Nicholls taking it 26-24. The teams then traded the next three sets in a convincing fashion. The Tigers won sets two and four by nine and seven, respectively, while the Colonels claimed the third set 25-17. In the fifth winner takes all set, the Colonels jumped out to a 5-2 lead before the Tigers clawed back into it to eventually make it 8-7. After that, Memphis went on a 4-0 run forcing a Nicholls timeout. From there, it was all Tigers as they won the final set 15-12.

UP NEXT
The Colonels will play two games tomorrow to wrap up the Tiger Brawl. First, Nicholls will face Southern at 9:00 a.m., and Central Michigan at 3:00 p.m.

STAY SOCIAL
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