THIBODAUX, La. — Texas A&M University- Commerce volleyball team was downed in four sets by Nicholls on Thursday night at Stopher Gymnasium, with the Colonels winning via set scores of 25-14, 25-18, 21-25, and 25-20.
This was the first Southland Conference win of the season for Nicholls, who also snapped a 12-match losing streak. The Lions drop to 9-14 overall and 5-5 in Southland play, having lost three of their last four.
'Nicholls was hungry for a win, and we were not today,' said coach Joe Morales. 'We are looking forward to getting back home, but face a tough challenge in Southeastern.'The Colonels won the first three points of the first set and that catapulted them to cruise to a 1-0 lead in the match. Outside of the opening point of the match, the set was not tied again. The Colonels hit 40.7 percent in the first set.
The Lions did take the first point of the second set and had the early 6-4 lead, but Nicholls took the next three and did not trail again in the set. Despite A&M-Commerce fighting off two set points, the Colonels secured a 2-0 lead with a 25-18 second set win.
The third set started with the Colonels leading 5-3, but the Lions won the six, and did not surrender that cushion. A&M-Commerce picked up its first set of the match by taking four of the last five and won the set on a kill by Kitana Tuufuli (St. Hedwig – Steele).
Nicholls once again won the first three points of the fourth set, but the Lions responded by taking the next four. The Colonels then went on a 5-1 run, and despite the Lions re-taking a 9-8 lead, the Colonels won the match on a service error. The Lions did have multiple scoring runs of four or more, but could not catch the Colonels. Essence Allen (Longview – Tatum) led the team with 11 kills, while Peyton Roper (Converse – Judson) had 10, and Tuufuli had nine. Yasmin Figueiredo (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) added six blocks and five came from Deja Benjamin (Pearland – Shadows Creek).
Breann Connally led the team with 35 assists, while also totaling 11 digs for a double-double. Jade Smith (Houston – Mayde Creek) had 20 digs.
The Lions host defending SLC Tournament champion, Southeastern, on Saturday at 11 a.m.