South Terrebonne standout eager for big summer
June 1, 2016
Ellender standout Jasper ready for college try
June 1, 2016
When Nicholls volleyball opened its new locker room facility last fall, Colonels coach Tommy Harold promised the upgrades would be a huge coup to the team’s recruiting efforts in the future.
The coach wasn’t kidding. The fruits of the team’s recruiting labors seem to have paid off in a big way.
The Colonels unveiled their 2016 signing class this past weekend, and it’s loaded with players who have decorated pedigrees filled with on-court success.
The class features six players, including three from Louisiana, and single individuals from Alabama, Texas and California.
The six-woman group joins Jade Piper and Kaitlyn Coffey, who signed earlier in the spring.
Harold said the newcomers are exactly what the Colonels need – a group which just might allow Nicholls to rise from the middle of the Southland Conference pack and reach the top-end of the league standings.
“I am extremely excited about this group of recruits,” Harold said. “When we looked at the parameters for this year’s class, we knew we needed the normal things programs look for – athleticism, speed and experience. But we went a bit deeper and found players that will also embody the term ‘student-athlete.’ … I think if we can create the right environment in the gym and put our focus on improving every day, the sky is the limit.”
With the six new players, the Colonels focused on virtually every position on the floor.
At the net, Nicholls inked JUCO middle blocker Kayla Dougherty – a Sacramento native who played the past two seasons for Garden City Community College.
Dougherty is 6-feet, and has a history of being disruptive to opposing offenses in her career. With Garden City, she recorded 87 blocks and 85 digs last season – two traits Harold said the team will be able to use next fall.
“Kayla is a tall, physical player who will compete in the middle,” Harold said. “She has great lateral speed as a blocker and the ability to put a ball away and end a rally.”
On the perimeter, Nicholls inked three outside hitters – Berwick native Brieanna Hill, Houston native Jennifer Olivarez and Fairhope, Alabama native Rickie Lee Constant.
Hill lands in Thibodaux with college experience. She signed with UL-Lafayette out of high school, and recorded 13 sets for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2015 – her freshman season.
At Berwick High, Hill was a four-time All-District player and a Principal’s List student.
Harold said she will record several kills in her Nicholls career.
“She is very quick to elevate and has the arm speed to match,” Harold said. “Brie has shown the ability to compete at this level both in the front and back rows.”
The coach also praised Olivarez and Constant, calling both players who can play as true freshmen.
Olivarez was the District MVP in Texas for Stephen F. Austin High School, while Constant was a three-year varsity letter-winner who was Three-Time All-County in Alabama.
Constant lands in Thibodaux with local roots. She was actually born in the city, but moved at a young age.
Harold said Constant is a winner, who will not be afraid of the pressures that come with Southland action.
“Rickie Lee will most likely compete for a role on the outside,” Harold said. “She hits a heavy ball and isn’t afraid to take a swing when the match is on the line.”
Rounding out the 2016 class are Baton Rouge-area prospects, St. Michael’s High School libero Amari Bellard and East Ascension setter Emily Venable.
Bellard is a 5-foot, 5-inch libero who enjoyed a storied career at the Baton Rouge-area private school for the past four years, earning All-State honors in her senior season.
Venable was a three-time All-District pick, who uses her mind to be successful, according to Harold.
“Emily has developed into a very smart and crafty setter,” Harold said. “What she lacks in height, she makes up by putting her teammates in a position to be successful. While setting is her natural position, she also has the ability to challenge defensively in the back row.”
All of the signees will be on campus when school begins in the fall, and that’s something Harold and the Colonels volleyball program looks forward to.
Nicholls has struggled in recent seasons, posting just a 9-19 record a season ago.
But with a lot of the roster returning and the new players coming on board, Harold thinks good things are on the way for his team.
“This class, coupled with a sold core of returning letter winners should lead to big things for the Colonels,” he said.
