HATTIESBURG, MS – The Nicholls State University volleyball team beat Mississippi Valley State and fell to Southern Miss in the Golden Eagle Classic on Friday afternoon.
MATCH ONE vs. Mississippi Valley State (W, 3-0) (25-2, 25-10, 25-14)
After beginning the match with an 18-0 run, the Colonels were able to hold a team to single digits in a set for the second time this season.
The Red & Gray attack posted its highest hitting percentage of the season (.408) and was led by a trio of outside hitters. Freshman
Autumn Perry recorded 10 kills, her classmate
Addison Phares tallied nine, and sophomore
Mackenzie Pryor finished with eight.
Additionally, the Colonels tied their season high in service aces with eight, led by junior outside hitter
Trinity Vinzant who registered five during the 18-0 run to being the contest.
The Colonel defense was anchored by sophomore middle blocker
Paris Dixon who registered four blocks, followed by Perry who had three. Junior setter
Kendall Battistella led the team in assists (10) and digs (6).
MATCH TWO vs. Southern Miss (L, 3-0) (25-19, 25-19, 25-11)
The first set saw the Golden Eagles jump out to a quick 9-1 advantage. The Colonels responded with 7-1 scoring run before USM went on a three-point spurt to eventually take the set 25-19.
USM began the second frame on fire and generated a 10-4 lead. Nicholls answered by scoring 11 of the next 14 points to take the lead (15-13). After that it was all Golden Eagles as they scored 12 of the final 15 points to win the set 25-19.
In the final stanza, USM captured 11 of the final 12 point to run away with the set, 25-11.
Perry and Pryor led the Colonel offense with nine and five kills, while Vinzant, Dixon, and freshman outside hitter
Tierney Terrell chipped in with four apiece.
Battistella paced the offense with 18 assists and Vinzant added a team high 18 digs and one service ace.
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray will conclude non-conference play clashing with Louisiana and Prairie View A&M in the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic on Sept. 14 and 15.
