DUDLEY, Mass- (4/13/24) - The top-ranked Nichols College men's Volleyball program defeated second-seeded Eastern Nazarene College in straight sets in the New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) Championship match on Saturday night at the Nichols Athletic Center. The defending champions become the eighth team in school history to win back-to-back conference championships.
The Bison finish the NEVC slate with a program-best record of 24-4, while the Lions finish up their season with a record of 18-7.
Graduate outside hitter Jack Normandin, who was voted tournament's Most Valuable Player, was up to his usual antics, recording 18 kills at a .600 clip while also providing two aces in the contest. There was also a stellar performance for graduate utlity Carlos Mercado, who ignited the Bison offense with 34 assists. Senior right-side Tanner Soracco impacted both sides of the ball, blocking 3.5 attempts and knotting seven kills, while junior middle blocker Dylan Knapp rounded out the performance with eight kills and two assists.
The two teams found themselves knotted up at seven apiece before back-to-back kills from Normandin allowed the Bison to take a 9-7 lead. From there, the Lions narrowed the deficit to trail 14-13, but a five-point stretch with Mercado at the serve provided the Bison with a six-point cushion at 19-13. Nichols continued to apply pressure with a late 4-0 run, including two aces from Normandin to increase their lead to 23-14, before taking the first set by a final score of 25-18.
Nichols picked it right back up in the second frame and quickly found themselves in the lead, 4-2. Following a service error, the hosts pieced together another 4-0 run to increase their lead to 8-3. After exchanging blows, the Lions fought back to bring the game within one at 19-18, but then surrendered six of the next seven points by way of two Normandin kills, resulting in a 25-19 second set victory for Nichols.
The third and final set saw the Bison behind 9-7 before a service error and a Soracco kill equalized the game at nine apiece. The Lions benefited from two errors to find themselves back up two before Normandin provided two kills to bring the Bison level once again. After reciprocating points, Nick Martin broke the game open with a three-point service run to bring the championship within reach at 22-17. The MVP Normandin finished the Lions off with three straight kills to take the set 25-20.
All eyes turn to the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, April 15 at 10 a.m. as the No. 11 Bison hope to hear their name called.
