LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball opened Southland Conference play here Tuesday night with a commanding straight set win (25-16, 25-17, 25-12) over Nicholls to improve to 9-6 overall and 1-0 in league play. The loss drops Nicholls to 2-12 overall and 0-1 in the SLC. McNeese will remain home to host Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. Thursday.
 
"This was just what we needed to kick off conference play," said head coach Ashleigh Fitzgerald. "We had a great crowd and they really cheered and our kids responded to that atmosphere, I hope they continue to show up at our matches.
 
Sophomore Shanna Spree continues to lead the offense after ending the night with a match high 12 kills on 17 attempts with one error for a season match high .647 hitting percent.  
 
Setters Adison Giambrone and Alexandra Aguilera split time, dishing out 14 and 13 assists, respectively.
 
"Our setters ran a nice offense tonight and we managed to keep the errors at a minimum. We have a long way to go over the rest conference season and alot to improve on, but tonight was a great starting point to Southland play," Fitzgerald said.
 
All three sets were close at the beginning but the Cowgirls managed to pull away midway through the sets behind outstanding defense and blocking up front.
 
Two-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week Angela McGownd led all players with a match high 16 digs. Keegan Nelms also picked up double figure digs with 12. Senior Jenny D'Alessandro led the block party with seven including five assisted. Spree joined D'Alessandro at the net to pick up five assisted blocks while Rae Myers was credited with four blocks.
 
Stephanie Tobison led Nicholls with eight kills and 10 digs while Jade Piper dished out 20 assists.