Since the last issue of The Nicholls Worth in November, there have been numerous events, defeats and accomplishments in the world of sports at Nicholls. With our first newspaper out today, I thought it would be appropriate to review and highlight a few key moments.
The biggest moment of the year happened Nov. 23 when the Colonels volleyball team clinched their first ever Southland Conference title in San Antonio, Texas. Seeded No. 6 in the tournament, the Colonels defeated the No. 3 seed Texas-Arlington, No. 2 seed Stephen F. Austin and No. 1 seed Texas State.
After the tournament victory, the Colonels moved on to the national volleyball tournament where they faced Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Despite an intense effort, Texas A&M defeated the Lady Colonels in three sets.
After the defeat, head volleyball coach M. J. Engstrom said in a quote from Sports Information that she was proud of her team’s resiliency in enemy territory.
“They just did a couple of things better than us and that was the difference in the game,” Engstrom said. “I was extremely proud of the girls for coming in here and not getting intimidated. They didn’t let the crowd get to them, and they played their game for the most part.”
Although the Colonels did not advance far in the tournament, many players achieved individual honors after the season. Leading the Southland Conference in kills and points per game, senior outside hitter Caley Carter was named Southland Conference Player and Newcomer of the Year. Carter also won the Louisiana Sports Writers Associations Volleyball Player of the Year Award. Senior libero Cheri White was named to the All-Academic first team, and senior outside hitter Becca Beall was named to the All-Southland Conference Tournament team.
In football, the Colonels finished third in the Southland Conference behind McNeese State and Stephen F. Austin. In the hunt for the school’s first Southland Conference trophy until the last game of the season, the Colonels lost to McNeese 62-28 in Guidry Stadium. The game was televised on College Sports Television.
After the season, 18 Colonel players made the All-Southland Conference team. Senior cornerback Chris Thompson and freshman kick return specialist Chris Crawford placed on the first team. Five players were named to the second team and 11 others earned honorable mention honors in a vote of conference head coaches.
Thompson was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic in Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 20. He recorded an interception, a pass break up and assisted in one tackle in the game aired nationally on ESPN 2.
In cross country, three Colonel runners qualified to compete in the NCAA South Central Regional meet in Waco, Texas. They included juniors Cassie Jones, Kim Prestenbach and freshman Jeff Draggich. In women’s action, Jones placed 46th with a time of 23:07, while Prestenbach finished in the 50th spot (23:24). Draggich placed 92nd with a time of 35:06.
That is the run down on the sporting events at Nicholls during the holidays. I wish a happy new year and good luck this semester to all the students, faculty, athletes and coaches.