The Nicholls State Volleyball team is gearing up for its 2022 campaign.

After posting an overall record of 11-17 and a conference record of 3-11, Nicholls finished the season 7th in the Southland.

Nicholls put together a strong showing in the conference tournament. The Colonels took down Northwestern State in four sets, marking their first postseason win since 2009.

Coach Kallie Noble has been key to the team’s success since stepping onto campus in 2019. In her first season, Noble improved the team’s conference record from a dismal 1-15 to a much more respectable conference record of 5-11. Coach Noble in her fourth season is poised to bring Nicholls to the top of the Southland after her first tournament win in Thibodaux..

However, the Colonels are predicted to finish eighth out of the ten teams in the Southland with only 50 votes. Top finishers Texas A&M CC and Houston Baptist received 157 and 151 votes, respectfully.

Over the offseason, Nicholls Volleyball welcomed nine new players and a new assistant coach in John Comer.

“[I like] their energy, their personalities on and off the court,” Coach Noble said. “We have a great academic team, and transitioning that onto the volleyball court with our volleyball IQs being a lot higher than they were in the past.”

Though the team lost some key talent in the off-season, it retained a few important players. Assist leader Lilly Bivens is returning for her senior year, along with Devon Bright who finished the season in the team’s top five for kills, digs, blocks, and service aces.

Last year being one of Nicholls’ best seasons in the past decade, the team believes there were no big issues and that getting back to the basics was what they truly needed.

“I want to connect with the middles more and make sure they are the first option in our offense,” setter Lilly Bivens said. “Also, keeping the offense spread and just gelling as a team because we have a lot of new girls.”

Executing was also an emphasis in the offseason for the Colonels. “Improving executing on the ball and making sure I’m looking on the court and trusting my liberos when there’s no one else to hit,” Devon Bright said.

In 2022 the team promises to bring new energy and a higher level of play to fans. “They’re going to see a higher level of volleyball,” Coach Noble said. “They are a fun bunch to watch [and] they play with a lot of heart and energy.”

The Nicholls volleyball team started their pre-season with an exhibition game on Saturday August 20 at 2:00 PM and will begin their regular season in the Tiger Brawl at Memphis on Friday August 26 at 12:00 PM.

Get out and support our volleyball team this season. Geaux Colonels!