The Colonels volleyball team rallied but fell short to Southeastern Louisiana University’s Lions in its 2009 Southland Conference season opener Friday. The Colonels, 5-9, fell behind 2-0 early but began a rally with a third set win.

The Lions, 5-8, responded with a 5-0 run to open the fourth set to a 25-19 win and a 3-1 victory.

“We just got beat by a much-improved Southeastern team,” head coach Chris Laird said. “They came focused and prepared to play, and we needed to do a better job making sure we’re ready. We’ll start addressing that on Monday, but it’s a long conference season, and our girls know we’re capable of playing better than that.”

Sophomore outside hitter Rachel Yezak recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs. Senior outside hitter Manieka Golden added 11 kills, and freshman outside hitter Jennifer Brandt had a team-high of 13 kills, but it was not enough to defeat the Lions.

“If anything, this should be a good wake-up call for us that lets us know no one in this conference is just going to roll over for us,” Laird said. “We’re still going to have to work for every win.”

The packed stands held a season-best crowd of 326 to welcome the Colonels home since Sept. 1.

“It was great seeing so many people in the crowd after not being home for so long,” Laird said. “It’s just disappointing that we weren’t able to play the way we are capable of playing and get a win in front of the home crowd.”

The Colonels battled back after falling behind 14-10 in the first set with 14 tie scores and seven lead changes. The game entered into tiebreakers after the Colonels scored twice on set points to force a 24-24 tie, but the Lions won 26-24.

The Colonels fell behind 7-3 in the second set before battling back through 13 ties and five lead changes. Senior outside hitter Rachel Spreen posted four of her six kills in the second frame. However, after tying things up at 17-17, the Lions went on an 8-5 run to win the second set 25-22.

Down 2-0, the Colonels dominated the third set 25-18. Nicholls hit .259 as a squad, drilled three aces and recorded a pair of blocks to dictate the third set.

The Colonels ran into trouble in the fourth set when the Lions opened with five consecutive points. The Lions won the set and the conference opener 3-1.

The Colonels return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. when they take on Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.