THIBODAUX, La. – After playing 11 of their first 12 matches on the road, the Nicholls State University volleyball team returns home to host Southeastern (Sept.28) and UIW (Sept. 30) inside Stopher Gym.
 
NICHOLLS COURT (2-11, 0-3 SLC)
The Colonels return home and enter the home stand after falling 3-0 to McNeese in Lake Charles earlier in the week.
 
The Red & Gray attack is led by freshman Autumn Perry who has registered a team-high 111 kills. She has hit .400 or better in four matches this season including two of the last three contests. Additionally, she has a team high 15 service aces and 100 digs.
 
Junior outside hitter Trinity Vinzant is a stout two-way player for the Colonels. She claimed her 11th career double-double against McNeese and leads the unit in digs (118) and is second on the team in kills (93).
 
The Colonel offense features a pair of setters that have tallied over 100 assists. Junior Kendall Battistella leads the team with 163 assists, while freshman Berra Soyler adds 103.
 
Defensively, sophomore libero Gabrielle Barth is one of three Colonels with 100 digs (114). In the middle, sophomore Paris Dixon and senior Jhayla Bolden have recorded 34 and 29 blocks, respectively.
 
SOUTHEASTERN COURT (12-4, 3-1 SLC)
The Lady Lions is the only SLC team with double figure wins and have swept their last five opponents.
 
Southeastern's efficient offense that sits atop the league in hitting percentage (.255) is led by two-time and current SLC Offensive Player of the Week, Kailin Newsome who is the only player in the conference with more than 200 kills (208). Newsome also leads the team in service aces (17) and is second on the team in digs (166).
 
Additionally, the offense features three other attackers with over 100 kills and a trio of setters that have over 100 assists. One-time SLC Offensive Player of the Week Rachel Hartmann has 155 kills, followed by Cicily Hidalgo (144), and Jacqueline Arrington (114). Gracie Duplechein leads the squad in assists (283) followed by Peyton Stokley (177), and Calli Collins (104).
 
Defensively, the Lady Lions are anchored by Ansley Tullis who ranks fifth in the SLC with 196 digs and Arrington who ranks third in the conference with 61 total blocks. Also contributing to the stout defense is Hidalgo and Hartmann who have 150 and 137 digs, respectively.
 
UIW COURT (8-7, 0-3 SLC)
The Cardinals will stop in Thibodaux after hosting McNeese earlier in the week.
 
UIW's offense has four individuals with more than 100 kills this season. Allison Palmi leads the way with 150 followed by Kyla Malone (133), Risa Sena (124), and Annamarie Alvarez (108).
 
The Cardinal's attack is run by setters Natalie Kimmel and Anuhea Faitau who have 299 and 203 assists, respectively.
 
Defensively the unit is anchored by Kade Thomas who has 44 blocks followed by Alvarez with 37. Mariela Nieto leads the Cardinals in digs with 143, while Malone and Audrey Patton have 120 a piece and Kimmel has 109.
 
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray will make the short trip to New Orleans to battle UNO on Thursday, Oct. 5 and then head across state lines to play Lamar on Saturday, Oct. 7.