LAKE CHARLES-- The McNeese volleyball team returns to Southland Conference play Saturday when the Cowgirls (7-13, 3-3 SLC) travel to Thibodaux for a 12 p.m. match against Nicholls (5-13, 0-6 SLC). Livestats and livestreaming links are available on the McNeese Athletics website at mcneesesports.com.
 
McNeese has won its last two matches and three of its last four including two conference matches with a 3-2 win at Sam Houston State on Oct. 3 and a 3-2 home win over Central Arkansas on Oct. 8. The Cowgirls enter Saturday's match tied for sixth place with Lamar.  Nicholls will enter the match having lost its last six matches. Nicholls' last win came in a 3-0 win over Alabama A&M on Sept. 9.
 
Senior Malina Sanchez continues to pace the Cowgirls on offense with 217 kills and is second on the team with 194 digs. Bridget Justis leads McNeese and ranks sixth in the SLC in digs with 306. Justis is averaging 3.87 digs per set. Setter Kelly Graham has dished out 705 assists and has produced 17 service aces. Graham also has 172 digs on the season, which ranks her third on the team. Freshman Monica Hudgins continues to be a force at the net, leading the Cowgirls with 65 blocks.
 
Nicholls is led in kills by Kayla Mashburn's 175. Mashburn is also second on the team with 20 service aces and third with 97 digs. Anna Niederhauser leads the Colonels with 24 service aces and Stephanie Tobison has a team high 216 digs.