THIBODAUX, La. -- After playing eight consecutive matches on the road, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team will return home to host Grambling on Wednesday, Sept. 16. First serve from Stopher Gymnasium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
 
Nicholls (6-4) has spent the last few weeks on the road, including last weekend when they went 1-2 at the ISTAP Collegiate Cup Tournament, hosted by Alabama State. The Colonels began the weekend with a loss to Miami (OH) before bouncing back with a victory over South Carolina State. The squad wrapped up the weekend with a loss to Alabama State.
 
The Red & Gray offense is paced by senior setter Isabella Padilla, who has dished out 316 assists so far this season. The balanced attack features four players with at least 60 kills. The unit is led by Kera Arrington, who has 107, followed by Mckenzie Mitchell (84), Maya Schirmer (66), and Zahahrah Edwards-Wyllie (65). Padilla also leads the team in service aces (15) while Harper Holden and Mitchell have 12 apiece.
 
The Colonel defense is has four players with at least 60 digs as they are anchored by libero Natalia Navarro who has 151 digs. Lizzie Kraft is second on the team with 78, while Padilla and Mitchell add 72 and 60, respectively. At the net, Schirmer leads the way with 34 blocks while Holden has 17.
 
Nicholls will be playing Grambling (2-6) for the second time this season. The Colonels dropped the road matchup 3-1 earlier this month. Since then, the Tigers have lost four straight contests against Alabama (0-3), Louisiana Tech (1-3), McNeese (0-3), and Northwestern State (1-3).
 
Grambling's offense is led by Lyric Jordan and Kenya Lucas, who have 94 and 60 kills, respectively. Alayna Howard and Reece Cook pace the offense with 135 and 115 assists. Cook leads the team with 10 service aces. Defensively, Asialin Powell leads the team in digs with, 127 followed by Howard with 72. At the net, Angelique Pena, Jordan, and Bailey Hollis have recorded 14, 12, and 10 blocks, respectively.