Nicholls volleyball again falls in three sets to visiting SLU Lady Lions

Even winning sets have been hard to come by for the Nicholls volleyball team this season.

A loss in three sets to Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday night at Stopher Gym is a case in point. The 14-25, 9-25, 18-25 defeat extended the streak of games in which the Lady Colonels have not won a set to five matches over a seven-match losing streak.

“We are starting to see the competition, the grind, a little bit more,” Nicholls coach Jonea Rima said. “I think we have to start winning some sets to get that confidence going.

“The last few games that we’ve played are tough opponents in the conference, for sure, just with their stats they have been very consistent.”

The loss dropped Nicholls to 0-3 in the Southland and 2-11 overall. SLU improved to 3-1 in the league and 12-4 overall.

Although Nicholls lost in three sets, the Lady Colonels rallied to trail 8-10 in the opening set. Nicholls went through a sequence in which it came up with several digs to keep rallies alive, only to have the Lady Lions come up with the points.

“I think that’s just the motivation within yourself and the team just wanting to leave everything on the court. I think we are getting close,” said Rima.

After dropping the second game 9-25, Nicholls came out aggressive and was much more competitive in the third game. The set was tied 13-13 before SLU pulled ahead 18-14. The margin was last at four points at 20-16 before the Lady Lions pulled away for the 25-18 triumph. Match point came on a block by SLU’s Ryley Boyne.

“I think we changed the lineup a little bit with the third set,” Rima said. “We got a few other kids some opportunities. I think some of them did a good job of stepping up to the plate and really fighting for things. I think the focus was a little bit better. I think we fought just a little too late.  Hopefully, we will fight a little sooner the next time.”

Trinity Vinzant led Nicholls with eight kills. Kendall Battistella had 12 assists for the Lady Colonels and Berra Soyler chipped in 11. Nicholls managed a total of only four block assists.

Rachel Hartman had 14 kills for Southeastern Louisiana and Kailin Newsome nine. Gracie Duplechein had 30 assists for the Lady Lions. SLU 23 block assists, eight by Cicily Hidalgo.

Nicholls will host a second-consecutive match for the first time this season when the Lady Colonels take on the University of Incarnate Word at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“We’re hoping for Saturday to get closer. I think we’ve seen a lot of improvement in the last week with the kids. I think their focus is getting better,” Rima said.