The Nicholls State volleyball team has qualified for the postseason, and today the team will square off versus Southland Conference foe Southeastern to decide who will be the seventh seed in the conference tournament.
With a win today, the Colonels will surpass last year’s conference total of five wins with a sixth victory in Patrick Hiltz’ first year as head coach.
A major factor in this postseason push can be attributed to this year’s cast of six seniors, who have played for three different head coaches during their tenure at Nicholls.
As of late, Hiltz has noticed a difference in his players. He has witnessed them truly depend on one another in a stronger way than he has seen from them in the past.
“It has been nice to see them turn the corner over the past few weeks,” Hiltz said. “I have seen a lot of smiles on faces, and we, as a team, have experienced a lot of moments when everyone’s guard has been down, which was what my goal was all along. I expect that they will continue to fight because they have really shown a lot of heart, while showing they can take this team to another level together.”
Senior middle blocker Jessica Addicks also believes this group of athletes has come together, and they are working towards a common goal.
“I have played with most of these girls for two years, making this season a lot of fun,” Addicks said. “We are all playing for each other.”
 After a road trip to Texas, where the Colonels competed against Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin, whom are both in the top six teams in conference, the Colonels fell short in both matches. However, they will be able to rebound with a win in their last regular season win versus Southeastern.
Earlier in the year, Nicholls swept the Lions in straight sets at home. This rematch will take place in Hammond, which the environment in senior outside hitter Kathryn Stock’s opinion will not play a factor in determining the winner.
“I think this game is all up to us,” Stock said. “Usually when we lose it is because we made too many errors or didn’t adapt to the game, but I do not think playing away from home will matter. As long as we play the way we have been playing, we will be successful.”
In preparation for today’s match versus Southeastern, Hiltz has kept the level of intensity at the same level. He felt it was important to keep a sense of consistency for his players.
“We have kept doing the same things we have been doing,” Hiltz said. “At this point in the season, everyone in the country is beat up so we have a couple of people who are nursing injuries. So I have wanted them to have enough time to heal up, but at the same time we have to stay focused and stay crisp. There is a balance that we have been using, and we have continued to use it.”