BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (9/18/24) - The Nichols College women's volleyball team put up a solid fight, but came up empty handed in a straight sets loss (21-25, 23-25, 25-27) against Bridgewater State University at the Adrian Tinsley Center Wednesday night.

The non-conference loss comes as the third in a row for the Bison and moves them to 1-4 on the season, while the Bears improve to 2-6 overall.

Luna Colozzo led the Bison offense with eight kills, while sophomore Maille Ianniruberto was Nichols' best hitter in the effort with four kills on a .333 attack percentage. Ruby St. Onge paced the offense with a team-high 12 assists, and libero Liz Diorio anchored the Bison backrow with a match-high 15 digs, while serving up one service ace. Diorio was also one of three Bison to record double-figure digs in the match, as was Colozzo.

The two teams traded the opening points before the Bison pulled ahead 9-4 with a 7-1 run, capped off by a Mairead Frost service ace and Colozzo kill. Nichols would maintain their five-point edge over the next six rallies, but saw it slip away as the Bears stormed back to take a 17-14 lead on a 10-2 run. Despite one final lead change, the Bears would close out the set by scoring five unanswered points, winning by a score of 25-21.

In the second set, the Bison eliminated an early 8-3 deficit to tie the frame at 14-all, receiving a boost from seven Bridgewater State errors. The set would then see three more ties as both teams continued to keep it close, before back-to-back Kya Burdier kills gave the Bison a one-point edge late at 23-22. However, the Bears were once more successful in finding their late spark, winning the set on a 3-0 run, 25-23.

In the final frame, the two teams traded the first 20 points to remain even at 10-10 before the Bison took a 19-13 advantage. However, Bridgewater would not surrender the set so easily, as the Bears fought back to tie the score at 21-21. The Bears took the set via a 27-25 tiebreak, completing the three-set sweep.

Women's Volleyball returns home to the Nichols Athletic Center on Thursday, September 19^th to face off against Massachusetts Maritime Academy (2-4, 0-0 MASCAC). Opening serve is set for 7:00 PM.