DUDLEY, Mass. – Sophomore Hayley Granato collected 12 kills as the Nichols College women's volleyball team opened the 2021 campaign with a 3-0 win over Fitchburg State University Wednesday night in front of a raucous crowd at the Nichols Athletic Center.

Senior Rachael Veilleux picked up 21 assists and a match-high five service aces as the Bison (1-0) won their season opener for the second time in the six-year history of the program. Freshman Ryley Plourde registered six kills and three digs in her first collegiate match while junior Emily Tinyszin tallied four kills and four blocks (one solo).

Nichols won game one 25-20 behind seven kills form Granato and four from Tinyszin. The Bison cruised to a 25-11 win in game two as Tinyszin and Plourde each notched three kills. NC closed out the match 25-13, finishing the evening with 13 service aces and assists on 25 of their 27 kills.