Bearkat volleyball sweeps Nicholls State

Sam Houston’s Volleyball squad met little resistance in Thibodaux, La., notching their third consecutive conference victory against Nicholls State Saturday.

The Bearkats improved their overall record to 8-9, sweeping the Colonels in three straight sets 25-6, 25-19, and 25-16. The Kats have steamrolled their competition as of late, winning five of their last seven matches and climbing to 4-2 in Southland Conference play.

“I think we're starting to come together as a team in terms of knowing everybody's role on the court," Bearkats coach Brenda Gray said. "This group works hard, and their mentality is so tough."

Kendall Cleveland totaled 10 kills in 28 attempts and Deveney Wells-Gibson added nine kills. Both totaled 11 digs. Setter Tayler Gray assisted on 28 of Sam Houston's 41 kills and led the Kat defense with 13 digs. Libero Camille Alfaro was credited with seven digs. Kim Black had eight kills, five aces and three blocks.

Those three blocks by Black brought her career total to 445, upping her rank to second all time in SHSU history.  Karen Zoch, a dominant Lady Kat in the 80’s, holds the school record with 536 blocks.

Sam Houston maintained the lead the entire first set, jumping out to an 8-2 advantage and winning 17 of the final 21 points. Nicholls State held a 14-11 lead in the second set, but the Kats rallied to take the second frame with a 14-5 run. The Colonels led the closing set 3-1 , however, between Black’s service and Cleveland’s spikes, the Lady Kats went on runs of 5-0 and 6-0 to complete the sweep.

The Bearkats return to Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Thursday to host Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Sam Houston also will face Northwestern State at 2 p.m. Saturday.