NASHUA, NH. – The Nichols College men's volleyball team fell in a five-set battle to Rivier University (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-21, 11-15) this evening at the Muldoon Center.
With the loss, the Bison move to 12-10 overall (4-0 CNE), while the Raiders improve to 10-10 on the season (2-1 GNAC).
The Bison offense was powered by
Adam Vincent, who led the way with 14 kills, while
Bryce Bonville added 11 and
Austin Gavin chipped in nine. Nichols also found success from the service line, as four Bison recorded two aces apiece.
Defensively at the net,
Bradyn Pomainville anchored the effort with three solo blocks and two block assists. Vincent contributed two solo blocks and two assists, while
Connor Snow added one solo block and two assists.
Evan Sachs notched his fourth consecutive double-double, dishing out 44 assists and collecting 13 digs.
Cade Bernardi led the team with 15 digs, while Gavin added 11 in a strong all-around performance.
The first set opened evenly, with neither team able to build more than a one-point advantage early. Kills from Gavin and Pomainville helped Nichols maintain momentum through the middle of the frame. The Bison created some separation at 17-15 behind a kill and an ace from Pomainville, but Rivier answered with a three-point run to take the lead. Nichols responded with a 4-1 surge, giving them just enough to secure the set, 25-23.
Nichols carried that energy into the second set, opening with kills from Snow, but Rivier prevented an early breakaway. After a kill from Pomainville, the Raiders used a pair of 5-1 runs to build a 19-12 advantage. The Bison answered with six straight points, sparked by a Gavin kill, cutting the deficit to one. The teams traded points late, but Rivier held on to take the set, 25-23.
With the match tied 1-1, Nichols jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third set behind a Gavin kill and a Vincent ace. Rivier quickly shifted momentum with a six-point run, and later added another five-point surge fueled by Nichols attack errors to extend their lead to 18-13. The Bison were unable to recover as Rivier took the set, 25-19, and a 2-1 match lead.
Nichols responded in the fourth set, with both teams trading points early before the Bison found their rhythm midway through the frame. Kills from Vincent, Bonville, and Snow helped create separation, while Sachs added pressure from the service line. Nichols remained in control late, closing out the set 25-21 to force a decisive fifth.
In the final set, Nichols built an early advantage behind kills from Snow and Gavin and maintained control through the middle stretch with contributions from Vincent and Pomainville. Rivier responded late, capitalizing on Bison errors to close the gap before finishing the set 15-11 to secure the match.
Nichols returns home for its next contest, hosting Vassar College on Friday, March 20th at the Nichols Athletics Center.
