THIBODAUX –
Elsie Sanchez had 13 kills while
Elizabeth Mugurza Rebollo had a career high 10 to lead the Northwestern State Demons' volleyball team past the Nicholls Colonels 3-0 (25-18, 25-18 and 25-19) Thursday night on the road.
The Demons (12-10, 4-3 SLC) also got 33 assists from
Jade Longlad while
Emmarie McFarland had 17 digs.
Amber Craig added eight kills to pace the offense as NSU finished the game hitting .311 (44-11-106).
"Today was a very dominant match for us," said Longlad. "We played our game to our fullest and I'm proud of how we kept the pressure on them both offensively and defensively. We grow more and more every game and today is another showcase of what we're capable of even in someone else's gym."
The Colonels (9-11, 2-5 SLC) were led by Zaha Edwards-Wyllie with eight kills. Kara Arrington and Madison Smith added seven kills to help the Nicholls offense that hit just .112 (30-18, 107) for the match.
The Demons took the first set after breaking a 14-14 tie. NSU won eight of the next 10 points to take a 22-16 lead following a block by
Kenadii Winfrey and an attack error by the Colonels. The Demons clinched the set on a kill by Craig.
In the second set, the Demons stormed out to 15-4 lead. The Colonels rallied back to cut the NSU lead to 20-15. However, NSU kept the Colonels at arm's length thanks to kill by Murgurza Rebollo and Craig. The Demons sealed the set on yet another attack error by the Colonels.
Nicholls came out ready to push the Demons in the third set as they led 15-14 at the media timeout. NSU grabbed a 20-17 lead on a block by
Olivia Nzioki before the Demons scored five of the last seven points. Fittingly it was Sanchez's kill that clinched the match for the Demons to open the road trip.
"I'm proud of today's execution," said Demon head coach
Ben Kaszeta . "Not a complete game yet. We still have some moments to improve on. I love the passion we played with though. Overall, we took their best shot today and turned it back on them. Always good to beat an instate opponent."
Next up, NSU will travel west to Lake Charles to face the McNeese Cowgirls (7-11, 3-4 SLC). The Cowgirls defeated East Texas A&M (8-12, 2-5 SLC) Thursday night at home in five sets.
