LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Nicholls State University beach volleyball team began the 2024 campaign by going 1-3 overall at McNeese's Cowgirl Beach Bash.
The Colonels dropped their first three matches against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, nationally ranked Cal Poly, and Tarleton State. However, the Red & Gray concluded the weekend with a 3-2 victory over the host Cowgirls.
In the win over McNeese,
Kennedi Steele and
Aspen Steele came back after losing the first set to beat Harlee Tupper and Rylee Lansing (8-21, 21-14, 15-10).
Bethanie Durant and
Brooklynn Wilkinson defeated Kendall Osgood and Ella Swansiger (21-15, 21-17).
McKay Wilson and
McKenna Malone fell to Carissa Chainey and Gracey Janes (21-14, 21-15), whole
Shelby McGee and
Keira Heckel was clipped by Jolie Savoie and Nadia Manitzas (23-21, 21-15).
With the match tied, 2-2
Tierney Terrell and
Carleigh Breaux defeated Emily Koetsier and Isabella Ceja (21-17, 16-21, 15-11) to clinch the first beach victory for head coach
Jonea Rima.
Nicholls opened the weekend against the defending SLC Champion Islanders and fell 5-0. On court one, the Steele duo fell to Stephanie Young and Chloe Tome (21-11, 21-15), Wilson and Malone were beaten by Madison Morrow and Kristin Bobay on court two (21-8, 21-6). Wilkinson and Durant were clipped by Cassie Dodd and Hannah Doyle on court three (21-12, 21-8). On court four, McGee and Heckel fell to Raven Jordan and Kela Moreno (21-13, 21-13) and on court five, Breaux and Terrell were beaten by Jade Bennett and Tori Johnson (21-8, 21-7).
In the 5-0 loss to No. 20 Cal Poly, the Steele duo fell to Ella Connor and Izzy Martinez (21-8, 21-14), Wilson and Malone was beaten by Piper Ferch and Erin Inskeep (21-6, 21-4) Wilkinson and Durant were clipped by Quinn Perry and Piper Naess (21-7, 21-18), Heckel and McGee loss to Abby Reinard and Madison Nichols (21-11, 21-17), and Terrell and Breaux fell to Emma Zuffelato and Sydney Terrell (21-13, 21-6).
The Colonels 4-1 loss against the Texans was highlighted by Wilkinson and Durant who beat Melina Maldonado Ortiz and Carlize Ching (21-12, 21-19). On the other courts, the Steele duo fell to Grayson Schrpik and Breanna McDonough (22-20, 21-19), Wilson and Malone were beaten by Emma Holcomb and Allison Bryant (21-14, 21-14), McGee and Heckel fell to Sydney Garrison and Rajini Fitzmaurice (21-15, 21-19), and Terrell and Breaux lost to Isabel Gonzaba and Tatum Busch (21-15, 21-19).
UP NEXT
The Red & Gray (1-3) will host UNO and UMHB in the 2024 Clash on the Cajun Bayou on March 1-2 at Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.
