THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's volleyball team will hit the road to continue SLC play in contests at LSU New Orleans (Oct. 8) and Southeastern (Oct. 10). Thursday's contest in New Orleans is schduled for 6:30 p.m. while Saturday's match in Hammond is slated for 1 p.m.
NICHOLLS COURT | 8-9, 1-3 SLC
Last week Nicholls split home matches against Lamar and SFA. The Colonels began the week by sweeping the Cardinals behind an offensive explosion as the Red & Gray posted a .299 hitting percentage with 35 kills and 10 service aces in the victory. Nicholls was swept by SFA on Saturday.
The Red & Gray have a balanced offensive strategy as they have five players with at least 90 kills.
Kera Arrington leads the unit with 179 kills followed by
Zahahrah Edwards-Wyllie (113),
Maya Schirmer (104),
Mckenzie Mitchell (97), and
Harper Holden (91). The offense is paced by setters
Isabella Padilla and
Jenna Cicherski who have 453 and 158 assists, respectively. Padilla and Holden lead the team with 18 service aces apiece.
The Colonel defense is anchored by libero
Natalia Navarro who has 270 digs. Padilla and defensive specialist
Lizzie Kraft add 120 and 118 digs for the unit. Schirmer leads the team in blocks with 56 followed by Holden who has 35.
LSU NEW ORLEANS COURT | 2-15, 0-4 SLC
The Privateers began October by losing road contests at East Texas A&M (1-3), and Northwestern State (0-3). The matchup with the Colonels is the Privateers first home conference match and they will host McNeese on Saturday.
LSU New Orleans' offense is led by Armie Hall and Laura Piva who have 196 and 132 kills, respectively. The attack relies on three setters as Defne Eciroglu leads the way with 238 assists followed by Mariana Franco (177) and Rylie Hallman (117). Mia Lopez lead the team in digs with 260 while Nyakuak Lual and Hall lead the team in blocks with 47 and 36, respectively.
SOUTHEASTERN COURT | 6-11, 3-1 SLC
The Lady Lions enter the week on a three-game winning streak after winning road matchups at Northwestern State (3-2) and East Texas (3-0). SLU will host McNeese on Thursday before welcoming the Colonels to Hammond on Saturday.
Kyra McKelvey leads the SLU offense with 216 kills. Ashley Richardson paces the offense with 271 assists and Melina Gonzalez lead the team in service aces (17). The Lady Lion defense features three players with more than 100 digs as Audrey Vielgutgh has 118 followed by Richardson (110), and Gonzalez (106).
SERIES HISTORY
Nicholls has beaten LSU New Orleans three out of the last four matchups however, the Colonels trail the all tall-time series against the Privateers 14-20. Nicholls has dropped eight straight contests against Southeastern and the Colonels trail the all time series 30-34.
