by Cheval John

The Sam Houston State Bearkat volleyball team extends their winning streak to 13 games as they swept Nicholls State Colonels 25-21, 25-13, 25-16.

The win streak is the longest since the Bearkats moved up to the NCAA Division I in 1986.

Three Bearkats (13-2 SLC play, 18-9 overall) totaled double-digit kills; senior outside hitter Kendall Cleveland (13), senior outside hitter Kaylee Hawkins (12) and sophomore outside hitter Devene Wells-Gibson (11).

Both teams fought tooth and nail early in the first set as they were five ties and two lead changes.

With the Colonels (5-12 SLC play, 10-18 overall) leading 14-9, the Bearkats scored the next eight out of ten points to take a 17-16 lead and went on to win the first set 25-21.

It seemed as if the second set was going to be the same as both teams traded a total of six points to open it at 3.

Then the Bearkats exploded for 9 straight points to lead it 12-3 and cruised to a 25-13 win.

They kept up the momentum in the third set as they scored the first six of the seven points on a kill and three service aces by Wells-Gibson and a kill by Hawkins.

They continued to dominate the Colonels as with their defense that allowed them to extend their lead and eventually take the third set and the match.

Setter Tayler Gray had 37 assists and 20 digs.

The Bearkats go on the road on Tuesday as they face Northwestern State.