The Colonels volleyball team put together an impressive five Southland Conference match winning streak, with their latest conference victim the Lady Cardinals of Lamar University. The Colonels won in conference play in Stopher Gym in Thibodaux 3-1 (30-26, 21-30, 30-19, 30-21).
In the first game both teams’ offenses started slowly; however, it was the Colonels who ultimately prevailed to win the first match on a late 10-3 run with the score tied at 15. The Colonels’ run proved too much as the Lady Cardinals lost on a score of 30-26.
Game two was a bit more difficult for the Colonels as the Lady Cardinals took the game 21-30 to tie the match at 1-1 with the help of the duo of Lamar’s juniors, Jessica Johnson and Bethany Johnson. The two Johnsons were the chief leaders of an 18-kill attack by the Lady Cardinals.
During game three the Colonels managed 14-kills on a .367 attacking percentage as compared to .081 by Lamar.
Game four was much like game three as the Colonels managed to win three battles and, ultimately, the war in this competition.
Colonels seniors such as the always reliable Caley Carter led the Colonels to victory with 15 kills, along with the outstanding plays of fellow seniors such as Cheri White who had 19 digs, Becca Beall who finished with 11 digs and 12 kills and Jennifer Fukino who had 49 assists, 2 kills and 3 digs. Junior Brenda Ross also contributed with 8-kills.
Freshmen such as Atina Porter who finished with 10 kills and KaLeigh Butler who finished with 11 kills with an attack percentage of .333 had key contributions to the Colonel win.
The Lady Cardinals were led by B. Johnson who finished with 15 kills and 11-digs which gave her, her 13 double-double of the year and also J. Johnson who chipped in 19-kills.
According to Lamar Sport Information Desk, head volleyball coach Fiona Bolten-Simmons said, “Jessica played really well, and Bethany had another great match, and we look forward to the rest of the team stepping up to their level.”
In all, the Colonels finished with 59 kills on a team attack percentage of .245, with 52 assists and 57 defensive digs.
With the win the Colonels improve their record to 9-11 overall and 7-4 in conference play while the Lady Cardinals fall to 10-12 overall and a low 2-9 in Southland Conference play.
According to Nicholls Sports Information Desk, head volleyball coach M.J. Engstrom said, “I think that Cheri White continued to have a solid game. We kept her on the left side and it paid off as she came away with 19 digs. Overall, I think we just need to work on our consistency and not suffer any lapses. If we can keep that at bay, I believe that we can beat any team in the conference.”
The Colonels return to Stopher Gym Oct. 21 to take on the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m.