DUDLEY, MASS. - The Nichols College women's volleyball were unable to come out on top in a 4 set conference thriller against the University of New England (25-14, 17-25, 15-25, 9-25) this Saturday afternoon at the Nichols Athletic Center.

With the loss the Bison record drops to 5-11 (1-2 CNE) and the Nor'easters record climbs to 8-7 (2-1 CNE).

Senior Kya Burdier led the Bison offense with 13 kills, supported by freshman Alyssa Morse (10) and senior Mairead Frost (6), with both Burdier and Morse hitting above .200. Graduate student Ruby St. Onge paced the team in assists with 19, while Burdier added 9 and junior Elizabeth Mullen contributed 6. Defensively, Frost and Morse anchored the back row with 19 digs each, and Mullen followed closely with 16. Several Bison tallied an ace apiece, while senior Maille Ianniruberto recorded a solo block on the day.

The Bison controlled the first set early, with Ianniruberto recording the team's first kill off a set from St. Onge. Nichols quickly set the tone with multiple kills from Burdier and Morse, taking a 9-6 lead. The Nor'easters stayed close as both teams traded points until a kill from Frost sparked an eight-point surge that put Nichols firmly in control. The deficit proved too much for UNE to overcome, and the Bison took the first set 25-14.

UNE came out strong in the second set, taking the first three points and looking to even the match. Nichols kept the pressure on with kills from Morse and Burdier, keeping the score close. However, UNE slowly built a 15-8 lead, and despite a late push from the Bison to cut the deficit to two, the Nor'easters closed the set on a 9-3 run to win 25-17.

The third set mirrored the second, with UNE pulling ahead while Nichols fought to stay within reach. After a competitive start, the Nor'easters broke away to take a 19-8 lead and secured the set 25-15. With momentum fully in their favor, UNE dominated the fourth set. Despite kills from Frost, Burdier, Morse, sophomore Gabriell McKayle, and senior Melina Bezati, the Bison couldn't slow down the Nor'easters, who took the set 25-9 and the match 3-1.

The Bison will be back in action on the road for their next conference matchup against Endicott College (8-8, 2-1 CNE) at the MacDonald Gymnasium on Wednesday, October 8th, at 6:00 p.m.