BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – The Nichols College women's volleyball team couldn't find their footing today during the Massachusetts Maritime Tri-Match, falling in a close 3-1 match to Massachusetts Maritime Academy (12-25, 25-15,18-25, 21-25) and being swept by Southern Maine (25-15, 25-11, 25-14).
With the pair of losses, the Bison record moves to 3-7 on the season.
Match #1 vs Massachusetts Maritime Academy (2-6, 0-0 MASCAC)
Freshman Alyssa Morse and graduate student Ruby St. Onge each turned in double-doubles to lead the Bison. Morse led Nichols in kills with 11 and collected 15 digs, making this her third double-double of the season while St. Onge dished out 15 assists and added 10 digs. Senior Kya Burdier supported with 10 kills on the attack, and junior Elizabeth Mullen anchored the back line with a team-high 18 digs.
The opening set saw both teams trade points before Mass. Maritime strung together a decisive run to pull ahead 12-8 and closed the frame 25-11. Nichols responded in the second, storming out to a 7-2 advantage capped by a Morse kill from Burdier. The Bison maintained control behind a balanced attack, and a service ace from Brooke Partridge sealed the 25-18 victory to even the match.
The third set featured several lead changes, but a six-point surge gave Maritime a 9-4 cushion. Nichols countered with a 5-1 spurt, yet the Buccaneers answered again, rattling off seven straight points. Despite late kills from St. Onge and Mairead Frost, the Bison fell 25-18.
In the deciding set, Maritime jumped ahead 8-2 before Nichols mounted a late rally. A 7-1 run highlighted by kills from Burdier and Caminea Layman, along with two aces from Partridge, cut the deficit to 23-21. The comeback fell just short, however, as Maritime closed out the match 25-21 and took the 3-1 win.
Match #2 vs. Southern Maine (3-6, 0-0 LEC)
Freshman Caminea Layman was a force at the net with three blocks, supported by sophomore Gabrielle McKayle and Burdier with two apiece. Burdier and Frost combined for 16 digs, while Partridge handed out 10 assists and joined senior Melina Bezati with two aces each.
Southern Maine controlled the opening set, racing to a 9-5 lead and cruising to a 25-15 finish. The Huskies carried that momentum into the second, overwhelming Nichols in a 25-11 decision.
The Bison showed fight in the third, pulling within 12-10 after kills from Bezati and Jhudny Pierre. Still, Southern Maine's offense proved too strong, as they closed the frame 25-14 to complete the sweep.
The Bison will be back on the Hill to take on the United States Coast Guard Academy at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 16th at the Nichols Athletic Center.
