HOUSTON, Texas – Nicholls State University senior outside hitter
Madison Smith recorded a season-best 23 kills and 17 digs in the Colonels' four set loss at Houston Christian on Thursday night.
Smith registered her third double-double of the season and her fifth as a Colonel. The 23 kills are the most by a Colonel this season and her 17 digs are the most she has had while dawning the Red & Gray. Smith stuffed the stat sheet with three blocks to finish with 24.5 points.
Nicholls (9-13, 2-7 SLC) started the game strong as they used an 8-2 run to take a 20-16 lead in the opening set. The Colonels finished the stanza with 14 kills to outlast the Huskies 25-23 to take a one set lead.
The Colonels' momentum continued into the second set as they posted a .263 hitting percentage however, the Huskies hit .205 to keep pace with the Colonels as they took the set, 26-24. Nicholls offense hit .043 and.200 in the third and fourth sets that they lost, 25-21 and 25-20.
The Red & Gray's balanced attack was paced by senior setter
Isabella Padilla who dished 48 assists. Freshman outside hitter
Zahahrah Edwards-Wyllie and junior middle blocker
Amelie Shalfoon had 11 kills apiece.
For the Colonel defense, Smith led the unit in digs while freshman libero
Natalia Navarro and junior defensive specialist
Lizzie Kraft had 16 digs apiece. Junior middle blocker
Maya Schirmer led the way with seven blocks at the net to go with her six kills.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will wrap up its road trip against UIW on Saturday, Oct. 24. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
