THIBODAUX, La. – After a crushing five-set loss to Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, the Nicholls State University women's volleyball team will look to right the ship against the University of New Orleans at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Stopher Gymnasium.
 
The Colonels (8-16, 4-7 SLC) have gone the full five sets just twice this season and both of those five-set contests have come in the past week. Nicholls will try to summon their remaining energy to protect their home court against a capable Privateer Squad.
 
New Orleans (6-20, 0-12) started 4-6 before entering conference play, but landed on a 12-game dry spell against Southland opponents. The Privateers will try to end that streak on Saturday against the Colonels.
 
Nicholls defeated New Orleans 3-1 earlier this year and earned a 3-0 straight-set victory last season in the only meeting between the two programs.
 
Brushing history aside, but both teams entered the 2014 season with revamped rosters and revitalized optimism. The Colonels are in search of a Southland Conference Tournament birth, while the Privateers desperately seek their first conference victory of the season.
 
Kaci Eaton leads Nicholls offensively with 361 kills this season and has a staggering 69 kills over the last three contests alone. Kalynn Egea has been the focal point of the Colonel defense with 476 digs in 2014, and has recently taken her game to a new level as well, totaling 83 digs over her last three matches. Ainsley Marroccoli paces the squad with 553 assists, while Emily Weimer leads the team with 52 blocks.
 
Cara Sander has a team-leading 216 kills for New Orleans, while Sara Hammoutene spearheads setting duties for the squad with 629 assists on the season. Celeste Ramirez and Lauren Levy head up the Privateer defense with 286 and 212 digs respectively, and Rondolyn Bryant has a team-high 52 blocks.
 
Nicholls will host the University of New Orleans Saturday before traveling to San Antonio, Texas for a matchup against the University of the Incarnate Word on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.
 
Visit geauxcolonels.com to find live stats and the most up-to-date information on Nicholls women's volleyball.