THIBODAUX – La. The Nicholls State University volleyball team (3-2) won its opening game of the Colonel Classic 3-0 against in state foe Southern (0-4) and was defeated 3-1 by UC San Diego (4-1) to close out day one of the tournament.

GAME ONE vs Southern (W 3-0) (25-21, 25-20, 25-19)

Nicholls coasted past the Lady Jaguars with excellent team defense and a variety of scorers on offense. Five Colonels tallied at least six kills. Outside hitters sophomore Trinity Vinzant and Katie Jones led the charge with seven kills apiece. Senior outside hitter Devon Bright, classmate middle blocker S'mara Riley and freshman middle blocker each had six kills. Freshman Mackenzie Pryor got in on the action and added four kills. Junior Kennedi Steele posted 3 service aces, while Vinzant added a pair.

The Colonels offense was paced nicely by setters senior Lilly Bivens and sophomore Kendall Battistella who both finished the match with 14 assists. Defensively for the Red & Gray, Vinzant and libero Kadie Becnel recorded 12 and 11 digs, respectively.
 
GAME TWO vs UC San Diego (L 3-1) (16-25, 25-16, 21-25, 21-15)

In the second game of the day the Colonels stuck with a similar game plan, attack from multiple individuals and play solid team defense, however UCSD's attack was just too much. Riley and Bright led the way offensively finishing the contest with 16 and 12 kills, respectively. Riley hit an absurd .519 while Bright recorded her third double-double of the season adding 13 digs to her stat line. Additionally, freshman Paris Dixon added eight kills, Jones registered seven, and Vinzant ended with six. Vinzant and Bright each had three service aces.

Bivens and Battistella set up the offense all game and they tallied 23 and 18 assists, respectively. Defensively, Vinzant showed her two-way ability finishing with a team high 15 digs, while Becnel recorded 14.

UP NEXT

Nicholls will host Southern Illinois University tomorrow in the final day of the Colonel Classic at noon.