COMMERCE, Texas – The Nicholls State University volleyball team had three freshmen outside hitters register double figure kills to lead them to a four-set victory over Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday night.
 
Autumn Perry stuffed the stat sheet with a career high 17 kills 14 digs, and five blocks to earn her third double-double of the season. She also hit .170 for the match and clinched set two with one of her two service aces.
 
Gracie Campbell registered her sixth double-double of the season with 14 kills and a team-high 16 digs.
 
Deniz Akgul added a career high 14 kills while posting an impressive .480 hitting percentage, while senior middle blocker Jhayla Bolden chipped in with eight kills and team-best 7 blocks.
 
The balanced attack that hit .251 for the match, was paced by freshman setter Berra Soyler and junior setter Kendall Battistella who had 29 and 22 assists, respectively.
 
Also defensively, junior libero Rae Leano and Battistella combined for 23 digs digs, while sophomore middle blocker Paris Dixon recorded eight digs, three blocks, and six kills.
 
In the first set, the Lions used a 4-0 start to build a cushion between the teams. The Colonels fought back and tied the contest at 19 before the Lions took six of the final nine points to claim the set, 25-22.
 
The Colonels started the second set by putting together a four-point scoring run to generate a 9-4 lead early on. The Red & Gray finished the set with a .308 hitting percentage from the field and won the set 25-23 after a late surge by the Lions was halted to create a best of three situation.
 
In the third stanza, the Colonels got off to a quick 6-2 advantage early on. However, the Lions were able to respond and knot the action a 7. After that the Colonels went on a six-point scoring run to go up 13-7 and used that momentum to eventually take the set 25-17.
 
The fourth frame saw, the teams battle back and forth before the Lions took a 18-13 advantage with a five-point scoring run. The Colonels fought back and tied the action at 19. After the tie, the Colonels kept the pressure on and won the set 25-23.
 
With the 3-1 victory tonight, the Colonels complete the season sweep of the Lions and stay alive for the Southland Conference tournament at the end of the month.
 
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray continue the road trip to Beaumont to battle Lamar on Saturday, Nov. 4.