SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y - The Nichols College women's volleyball team were shutout this weekend at the Skidmore Classic falling 0-3 to both SUNY Oneonta (14-25, 22-25, 18-25) and Williams College (11-25,11-25,11-25) on Saturday inside the William Sports Center.
With the result, the Bison record falls to 2-4 (0-0) on the season with the losses today.
Match #1 vs. SUNY Oneonta (L, 0-3)
The Bison put up a strong fight against the Red Dragons this morning with Kya Burdier (seven), Alyssa Morse (seven), and Jhudny Pierre (four) leading the offensive attack. Ruby St. Onge (14) and Burdier (10) both reached double digits in assists, while Maille Ianniruberto added four aces. Defensively, Ianniruberto stood her ground at the net with three blocks, and Elizabeth Mullen (10), Morse (8), and Burdier (7) protected the back row.
The first set started one-sided, as SUNY Oneonta jumped out to a 5-1 lead and kept its foot on the gas. After a service error, the Red Dragons responded with a six-point surge to extend their advantage. Nichols tried to spark momentum off a kill and service ace from Burdier, but Oneonta pulled away once more and closed the frame with a 6-1 run.
The Bison found more success in the second set, striking first with a kill by Mullen. They built a 7-4 lead after winning six of the first seven points, but their momentum slowed as Oneonta answered with a four-point surge to take the lead. Another Red Dragon run pushed the score to 14-10, though Nichols fought back and cut the deficit to just one by capitalizing on attacking errors. Despite the rally, Oneonta held on late to edge the set, 25-22.
The third set was competitive early, locked at 6-6, before the Red Dragons broke away on a 5-1 run. From there, Oneonta controlled the pace and never looked back, finishing the set 25-18 to seal the 3-0 win.
Match #2 vs. Williams College (L, 0-3)
The Bison battled hard in their matchup with Williams College. Ianniruberto (three), Burdier (two), and Pierre (two) paced the offensive effort at the net. St. Onge set the tone with six assists while Burdier chipped in four. St. Onge also tallied the team's lone ace of the match. On defense, Burdier and Mullen anchored the back row with five digs apiece, while Morse added four. At the net, Caminea Layman and Morse each recorded a block to round out a balanced Bison effort.
The first set began with Nichols taking the advantage going up 5-2 with points from Ianniruberto and Burdier. The teams traded a handful of points before the Ephs broke away with a 6-1 run. From there Williams caught fire, didn't look back and finished the match 25-11.
The second and third set were almost identical, with the Ephs keeping their foot on the gas and the Bison being unable to catch up. Both matches ended 25-11 and the Ephs took the win 3-0.
The Bison will be back on the Hill to take on Keene State College on Tuesday September 9th at 7:00pm at the Nichols Athletic Center.
