Nicholls volleyball team takes on pair of teams facing similar seasons to its own

The Nicholls volleyball team will take on a pair of teams facing similar seasons to its own when the Lady Colonels take on the University of New Orleans and Lamar this week.

Nicholls will play at UNO on Thursday before hosting Lamar at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The Lady Colonels, coming off a three-set loss to Incarnate Word last Saturday, are 2-13 on the season and 0-5 in Southland Conference play.

UNO snapped an eight-match losing streak with a three-game sweep of Lamar last Saturday. It was the first win in Southland play for UNO, which moved to 3-13 overall. Lamar remained winless on the season at 0-15 in the SLC and 0-16 overall.

“I think all three of us, this week we have kind of seen similar results this season. So, I think it will be a good battle – a good chance to kind of rise and get some success and some confidence issues, which is all the kids. I think it will be a good opportunity for us to really kind of shine,” Nicholls coach Jonea Rima said.

After playing the first 10 matches of the year on the road, Nicholls is coming off back-to-back home matches and now will be going back on the road in nearby New Orleans.

“It’s kind of a close rivalry within the state,” Rima said. “One hour away is nice. Kids that are either from this area or closer to the New Orleans area will have a pretty good crowd to support the girls.”

Despite the most recent loss, there were some positives against UIW, according to Rima.

“I think at times we were able to run our right side pretty effectively and the outside as well,” the Nicholls coach said. “We just made a little bit too many mistakes.

“Still, I think we are getting better as the season goes, it’s just that every team is getting a little bit better as well, so it’s just kind of balancing what we do in the game and make smart decisions as a whole.”

After suffering early-season injuries, freshmen outside hitters Gracie Campbell and Deniz Akgul are available for Nicholls.

“I think we should have almost everyone to be back this week on the roster,” Rima said. “It gives us a little bit more depth moving forward. We just had two new kids back in the lineup last week. Both weren’t able to be on the roster the entire time on the court, but I think that will come as time goes, but it would be nice to get our last kid back in the lineup as well.”

Even if the scenario of the upcoming schedule doesn’t lead to a pair of wins, competitive matches could do wonders for Nicholls, according to Rima.

“I think it’s very possible, and I think that can help morale of the team very much for this week,” the Nicholls coach said of the potential to pick up a SLC win or two. “No matter the outcome, I think it could kind of be a change season-wise for us.”