THIBODAUX, La. – The Northwestern State Demons' volleyball team goes back on the road Saturday as it takes on the Nicholls Colonels at 1 p.m. in Stopher Gymnasium in Southland Conference action.

The Demons (1-20, 0-7 SLC) are coming off a three-set season high of 40 kills in a loss to the McNeese Cowgirls (6-13, 2-5 SLC) Wednesday at Prather Coliseum. Deja Benjamin and Samaya Wesson led the way with 10 kills each while Makenna Tryon added seven.  NSU finished the match with a .221 hitting percentage, the second highest of the year (.286 on Sept. 12 against UT-Arlington).

"That (hitting percentage) shows we're getting better," said Demon head coach Ben Kaszeta. "Now it's just a matter of being a little more disciplined a few more times where we can win some of these sets that are just getting away from us."

The Demons enter Saturday's contest led by Benjamin with 155 kills while Wesson is second on the team with 125. Jade Longlad's 37 assists lead the Southland as she recorded two against McNeese Wednesday night.

The Colonels (10-10, 0-7 SLC) are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak following Wednesday's loss to East Texas A&M (5-13, 3-4 SLC). Nicholls is led by Tamara Chavez whose 258 kills lead the Southland.

"We just have to pass and serve better Saturday," said Kaszeta. "When we do that, we look pretty good but when we don't we make life difficult on our setters. So we just need to slow it down a little and we'll be fine."

NSU leads the all-time series against the Colonels, 37-34, and have won the last five matches. The Demons are 19-11 all-time against Nicholls in Prather Coliseum.