NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The Nichols College men's volleyball team had their 6 game winning streak come to a halt, dropping in 4 sets 3-1 to the Hawks of SUNY New Paltz Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM at the Hawks Center.
With the loss the Bison drop to 10-9 (3-0 CNE) while the Hawks rise 17-5 (3-0 UVC)
Nichols was led offensively by
Adam Vincent, who finished with 15 kills while also contributing two service aces and four assists all while hitting a .387 clip.
Austin Gavin added nine kills and was a major factor from the service line with a team-high three aces, while
Bryce Bonville chipped in six kills and another ace for the Bison. At the net,
Connor Snow anchored the defense with a match-high six blocks, while
Bradyn Pomainville added four and
Evan Sachs contributed three to help slow the opposing attack. Sachs directed the Nichols offense once again with 36 assists while also leading the team defensively with 10 digs to record a double-double.
Cade Bernardi added seven digs and two assists, while Gavin contributed eight digs to support the Bison defensively.
The opening set began with both teams trading points early, as neither side was able to build much separation through the first stretch of play. Nichols found early momentum behind a service ace from Vincent and strong play at the net from Pomainville and Bonville, helping the Bison keep pace with SUNY New Paltz as the score remained tight. Midway through the set, Nichols began to create a small cushion. An ace from Gavin and several attacking errors from the Hawks helped the Bison string together a short run and push the lead to 13–10. SUNY New Paltz responded to even the score at 18–18, but the Bison quickly regained control down the stretch. Back-to-back blocks from Pomainville gave the Bison momentum late in the set before another Gavin kill and a Pomainville finish pushed Nichols to set point. Despite a brief push from the Hawks, Nichols closed out the frame 25–20 to take the early lead in the match.
The second set followed a similar pattern, remaining close early as both teams traded points. Nichols found offense through Pomainville, Snow, and Gavin, while service pressure from the Bison helped keep the set tight. SUNY New Paltz was eventually able to build a small advantage midway through the frame, creating separation as the set progressed. Nichols continued to battle back and tied the score late at 23–23, but the Hawks held firm in the final moments and closed out the set 26–24 to even the match at one set apiece.
Nichols generated an early push, jumping ahead 4–1 after a Vincent kill and a pair of SUNY New Paltz errors. The Hawks quickly answered with a run of their own to even the score, and the teams continued to trade points through the middle portion of the set. With the score tied late, SUNY New Paltz put together a brief 3–0 run to create separation. Nichols remained within reach, but the Hawks maintained the advantage and closed out the frame 25–21 to take the lead in the match.
The Bison came out energized in the fourth set, trading points early as both teams battled to control the momentum. The Bison leaned on their offense through Vincent, Gavin, and Bonville, matching the Hawks point for point through the opening stretch while Snow and Pomainville helped control the net defensively. Midway through the set, SUNY New Paltz managed to create a small cushion after stringing together a short run, but Nichols refused to let the set slip away. The Bison responded with a surge of their own, fueled by strong swings from Vincent and Gavin along with a few timely New Paltz errors, bringing the score back within reach and keeping the pressure on. The energy inside the gym built as the teams traded points late, with Nichols continuing to fight for every rally and staying within striking distance. Despite the late push from the Bison, SUNY New Paltz managed to hold onto their advantage in the closing moments and secure the final set to take the match 28-30.
The Bison will return home on Saturday for a Tri-Match at the Nichols Athletic Center. The Bison will first take on Bard College at 12:00 PM before closing out the day against Emmanuel College at 4:00 PM for the program's Staff and Faculty Game.
