Volleyball drops two conference matches

The Nicholls State University women’s volleyball team suffered two defeats in Southland
Conference play against McNeese State University last Tuesday and Houston Baptist University
Saturday.

The Colonels (2-13) traveled to Lake Charles last Tuesday night and lost in three sets with scores
of 25-16, 25-17 and 25-12. They returned home to host the Houston Baptist Huskies and lost in
three sets with scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-14.

Despite the losses, Stephanie Tobison, a senior outside hitter from Carol Stream, Ill., said she
saw improvement on the team.

“Even though the score didn’t show it, I feel like we really did improve,” Tobison said. “It’s not
exactly where we want to be right now, but it’s a lot better from where we were [against
McNeese].”

The Colonels began a three-game road trip last night at Sam Houston State University at 6:30 p.m.
and will conclude the trip with matches against the Texas A&M – Corpus Christi Islanders
Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals Saturday at 11 a.m.

Head coach Tommy Harold said that he saw progress from his players and that the team is
prepared for the road trip ahead even with the absence of a Fall Break.

“When we first looked at the schedule, this was supposed to be Fall Break, and it was going to
give them a couple of days that they weren’t missing class, but things happen and we’re just
going to have to roll with it.”

Tobison said that road trips like this one give her and her teammates time to grow closer and
focus more on the game.

Tobison said, “I think it gives us more time to bond and focus on just volleyball. Going on the
road has a big impact on us. I think it makes us closer.”

Coach Harold said that each of the next three teams his squad faces this week is a challenge.

Harold said, “Sam Houston is traditionally a strong team, it’s a tough place to play.
Texas A&M – Corpus Christi has been undefeated in the league for the last two years, and so
they’re certainly a juggernaut in the league right now. Incarnate Word has had some mixed
results, so it’s a matter of getting in there and worrying about our side of the net, taking care of
the ball and being aggressive as we go through the match.”

Statistics (@ McNeese and vs. Houston Baptist):

#2 Hill, Brieanna: six kills, one block
#4 Weimer, Emily: 10 kills, three blocks
#5 Tobison, Stephanie: 12 kills, one block, one assist and 22 digs
#6 Piper, Jade: 28 assists, seven digs
#9 Williams, Imanie: 11 kills, one block and three digs
#11 Becerra, Victoria: two assists
#14 Venable, Emily: two assists, 13 digs
#17 Wozniak, Meghan: 12 assists and six digs
#19 Lerille, Sydney: three kills