THIBODAUX, La. –After opening Southland Conference action last week, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team will continue league play across state lines at UIW (Oct. 2) and HCU (Oct. 4).
 
Nicholls enters the week 10-5, 0-2 SLC after dropping the first two conference games. The Colonels lost a five-set thriller at New Orleans before being swept by Southeastern.
 
The Red & Gray offense is run effortlessly by setter Isabella Padilla who has 460 assists and is third in the SLC in assists per set (8.98). She often sets up leading attacker Tamara Chavez who has 218 kills and six double-doubles. Chavez leads the SLC in kills per set with 4.50 and points per set with 4.89.
 
The Colonels' defense has four players with at least 100 digs. Libero Karina Smith leads the way will 135 followed by defensive specialist Ava-Claire Calais (115), Padilla (113), and Chavez (107). Defensive specialist Olivia Besson has 99. Harper Holden leads the unit at the net with 50 blocks while ranking fifth in the SLC in blocks per set (1.00).