DUDLEY, Mass. – Freshman J'ena Baker (Rockledge, Fla.) collected 13 kills in Nichols College's 3-0 loss to Gordon College Tuesday night in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) volleyball action at the Nichols Athletic Center.
 
Baker also had six digs and a pair of service aces while freshman Jayla Simmons (Rockledge, Fla.) led the Bison with 14 digs. Freshman Megan Gardner (South Deerfield, Mass.) registered 11 assists, five digs, and one block assist.  
 
Freshman Amanda Snyder (San Jose, Calif.) paced the Fighting Scots with 11 kills (.304 hitting pct.). Sophomore Renee Cooprider (Hopkinton, Mass.) handed out 23 assists, senior Maggie Risma (Hudson, Ohio) picked up 10 digs, and sophomore Jamie Tafoya (Fort Collins, Ohio) had seven kills, two digs, and one block assist.
 
Gordon won game one 25-19 behind three kills each from Tafoya and senior Caleigh Petersen (North Hills, Calif.). Baker, meanwhile, had six in the frame for NC. Tafoya's four kills sparked Gordon to a 25-15 win in the second set before seven from Snyder in the third gave it a 25-17 win in the third set.
 
All-Time Series
Today's contest marked the first-ever meeting between Nichols College and Gordon College. The Fighting Scots now lead the series, 1-0.
 
Quotes
"I thought we performed pretty well against one of the top teams in the conference. Our setter was only in her second day playing the position, but it was a good change for her and it brought a lot of energy to the court." – Nichols head coach Shironda Hollis
 
"We're getting better with our communication. We're used to being on the court with each other. Also, our hitting efficiency is starting to get better, but we're still working on it." – Hollis, on positives from tonight's contest
 
Next Match
Nichols (4-8, 0-2 CCC) – Wednesday, September 28 @ Rhode Island College, 7:00 p.m.
Gordon (8-7, CCC) – Thursday, September 29 vs Lesley, 7:00 p.m.