THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's volleyball team utilized efficient offense and stout defense to sweep the University of New Orleans 3-0 inside Stopher Gym on Thursday night.
 
Nicholls (13-16, 3-13 SLC) offense was dominant in the first two sets as they tallied 16 kills in both frames while hitting .275 and .351 from the floor. In the opening stanza, the Colonels pieced together an early six-point run followed four-point surge to create distance and ultimately take the set 25-20. The Red & Gray kept the momentum rolling into set two as the unit scored nine straight points on Olivia Besson's serve before a run of five during Harper Holden's serve to run away with the set, 25-11.
 
The Colonels had to rely on their resiliency and determination to earn a comeback victory in set three. Following a UNO kill that put the Privateers up 21-17, the Colonels scored eight consecutive points to secure the Red & Gray victory on senior night.
 
The Colonels' attack was paced effortlessly by setter Isabella Padilla who dished 33 assists while adding five digs, four kills, and two service aces to her stat line. In her final game as a Colonel, Tamara Chavez led the offense with 24 kills (.340) and four aces. Holden added seven kills while matching Chavez's four aces. Maelie Chipin tallied six kills while Ana Clara Valentim do Vale chipped in with three kills and four blocks in their final game as a Colonel.
 
The Red & Gray defense was anchored by Ava-Claire Calais who led the team with 12 digs while Olivia Besson and Karina Smith finished with 11 digs apiece. Chavez had two block assists while Padilla and Neriah Tualaulelei-Malele had one block assist apiece.
 
The sweep of the Privateers marks the Colonels 11th sweep of season. Additionally, the 13 overall wins matches the win totals in 1995 and 2009, and those marks are tied for the seventh best win total in program history.