AVCA POLL / FROGJUMP POLL

DUDLEY, Mass. – Following a 7-3 start to the 2023 campaign, the Nichols men's volleyball team has jumped into the national spotlight, receiving votes into the AVCA Division III Men's Volleyball Coaches Poll, as well as being slotted at No. 15 in the FrogJump Top 20, both for the first time in program history.
 
The Bison have grabbed the attention of the Division III men's volleyball landscape after facing multiple nationally-ranked teams in the opening 10 contests, including its first win over a ranked opponent, which came in a four-set victory over No. 14 Lasell on Thursday, February 9.
 
Through the opening slate, the team, as well as several key players, sit highly ranked in several NCAA Division III statistical categories.
 
Nichols ranks sixth in team hitting percentage (.305), seventh in kills per set (12.08), and eighth in assists per set (11.22) as of Wednesday, February 15.
 
The team's offensive success can be linked primarily to junior setter Dylan Urbanski who has dished out 324 assists over 36 sets to rank 15th in the country in assists per set (9.2). Graduate outside Carlos Mercado (.364) and junior middle Tanner Soracco (.350) have added a major pop to the offensive approach and sit 32nd and 36th in the country in hitting percentage, respectively.
 
The Bison, under the direction of second-year head coach Casey Fitzpatrick, return to action in a Saturday tri-match against Sage (12 p.m.) and Rivier (4 p.m.) on Saturday, February 18 at the Nichols Athletic Center.