DUDLEY, MASS. –The Nichols College men's volleyball team remained undefeated at home, defeating Bard College 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 25-9) in their Senior Day matchup before completing their second 2-0 comeback win of the season against Emmanuel College, 3-2 (22-25, 23-25, 25-8, 28-26, 18-16), this afternoon at the Nichols Athletics Center.

With the win the Bison rise to 12-9 (4-0 CNE) while the Raptors drop to 9-14 (1-3 CNE) and the Saints drop to 9-10 (2-1 GNAC)

GAME 1 vs Bard
The Nichols attack was led by Adam Vincent, who posted 17 kills on .234, while Bryce Bonville added 13 kills on .464 and Austin Gavin contributed 12 kills on .393. Senior KG Bennett led the Bison with four blocks, including three solos, supported by Bradyn Pomainville and Vincent with three and two blocks, respectively. Evan Sachs distributed efficiently with 46 assists and helped three teammates record double-doubles: Sachs had 14 digs, Gavin a career-high and first with 17, and Pomainville 10, while Cade Bernardi led the team with 18 digs.

As a team, Nichols hit .346 and recorded 56 kills, tying for seventh-most in program history for kills in a match.

Nichols opened the match by jumping out to a quick 2–0 lead with kills from Vincent and Gavin, both assisted by Sachs. Bard kept the set close through the middle stages, but the Bison maintained control behind additional kills from Gavin and Pomainville. Late in the set, Bard cut the deficit to three at 23–20, but Nichols closed it out quickly. Pomainville recorded a kill to bring the Bison to set point before Vincent finished the set with a kill from Sachs to secure the 25–20 win.

Nichols carried their momentum into the second set, quickly turning an early tie into a 4–1 run behind a kill from Gavin. The Bison continued to build their lead as Bonville and Pomainville added key kills, pushing Nichols ahead 9–5. The Raptors battled back midway through the set and eventually tied things at 10–10, but Nichols responded. Kills from Vincent, Bonville, and Bennett helped the Bison regain control late. With the set tight down the stretch, Bonville delivered two late kills to seal the 25–22 set win for Nichols.

The third set was tightly contested from the start, with both teams trading points and neither side able to build much separation early. Kills from Gavin, Bonville, and Vincent helped Nichols keep pace as the set remained tied through much of the middle stretch. Bard gained momentum late, taking a small lead as the set moved into the final points. Nichols continued to battle, hoping to get it done in three, but the Raptors held on down the stretch to take the set 25–23.

Nichols responded strongly in the fourth set, turning an early 3–3 tie into a commanding run. 
The momentum continued to swing heavily in Nichols' favor as Sachs led the charge from the 
service line on an 18-2 run.  Nichols comfortably closed out the set, sealing the dominant 25–9 win after a service error to force a fourth set, finishing the first match of the day 3-1.

GAME 2 vs Emmanuel
The Bison's comeback was powered by Gavin, who recorded a career-high 17 kills on a stellar .424 hitting percentage, while Vincent added 15 kills and Bonville contributed 10. Pomainville anchored the front line with eight kills on an impressive .545 percentage and chipped in four blocks, supported by Gavin (four) and Vincent (three).  The Bison played extremely well at the net, with multiple Bison having three or more blocks. Sophomore Connor Snow led the charge for the Bison, sending back 6 attacks and having a singular solo block. Sachs orchestrated the attack with 55 assists, solidifying himself in first and second place for assists in a single match, and also recorded 15 digs, producing a double-double alongside Bonville, who had 11. Cade Bernardi added 14 digs to the team's defensive effort, rounding out a balanced performance by the Bison. 

While the Saints opened the set first, the Bison quickly took control, scoring three early points off errors and a kill from Snow, his first of many attacks. Both teams battled throughout the frame, with neither able to build a significant lead. The set remained tight, with the only real advantage coming from a two-point gap for the Saints at 22–20. Emmanuel held on to that small lead to close out the set, 25–22.

Nichols opened the second by quickly responding to Emmanuel's early point with kills from Snow, Vincent, and Gavin, all assisted by Sachs. Both teams traded blows through the middle of the set, with Nichols staying close thanks to consistent attacking from Vincent and Gavin and solid defense from Pomainville and Snow. Late in the set, Nichols went on a four-point run, highlighted by a service ace and kill from Bonville with support from Vincent, and Gavin, bringing the score within one. The Saints managed to hold on in the final points, with Nichols ultimately falling 25–23, forcing the Bison into panic mode going up 0-2.

The Bison dominated Set 3 from the start, jumping out to a 9–0 lead.. Vincent added key points early, while blocks from Snow, and Pomainville helped the Bison maintain control despite Emmanuel finding a few kills throughout the match. Snow and Sachs continued to orchestrate the offense, and Nichols closed out the set with a final service ace from Vincent, taking the frame 25–8 to secure the win and begin the comeback 1-2.

Both teams battled point-for-point early in the fourth, with Snow and Gavin giving the Bison an early boost through kills and strong setting from Sachs. Late in the frame, Nichols went on a series of small runs, with kills from Vincent, Gavin, and Pomainville helping the Bison edge ahead. Despite Emmanuel pushing back and cutting the lead, Nichols maintained composure, closing out the set with a final kill from Vincent off Sachs to secure the 28–26 victory deadlocking the game at 2-2.

The final and deciding set saw the Bison start strong, with a kill from Vincent followed by another from Gavin to take an early lead. Both teams fought intensely for every point, and Nichols held a 7–5 advantage at the side change. Emmanuel then went on a three-point surge, building momentum and taking a 12–9 lead.
With the match slipping away, the Bison mounted a rally. Gavin's kill cut the deficit to three, and a 5–1 run, sparked by a kill from Bonville, put Nichols back in front at 16–15. The Bison closed out the set by capitalizing on an error from the Saints, and a final block from Snow sealed the comeback, giving Nichols the 18–16 victory.

The Bison will hit the road for their next matchup, facing Rivier University for the second time this season on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:00 PM at the Muldoon Gymnasium.