LEWISTON, Maine (9/18/2026) – The Nichols College women's volleyball team battled Bates College Friday night at Underhill Arena, falling to the Bobcats in straight sets, 25-8, 25-17, 25-15.
With the loss, the Bison move to 0-9 overall on the season, while Bates improves to 6-0.
Sophomore
Alyssa Morse led the Bison offensively with eight kills while adding two service aces and four digs. Junior
Gabrielle McKayle followed with seven kills, while senior
Jhudny Pierre recorded two kills and freshman
Ella Pratt chipped in one. freshman
Lena Heini paced the Bison with 11 assists, while freshman
Naseem Hennouch added three. Freshman
Kaitlyn Rodrigues recorded two aces and five digs, while freshman
Sofia Novak added six digs defensively.
The Bobcats opened the match with a 3-1 advantage before Nichols answered with points from McKayle and Pierre to keep the opening set within reach. The Bobcats then used a series of runs to extend their lead, building a 16-6 advantage midway through the frame. Nichols continued to battle late, with a service ace from Rodrigues helping the Bison reach eight points, but Bates closed out the opening set, 25-8.
Nichols came out with its strongest start of the night in the second set, taking an early 2-1 lead behind a kill from McKayle. After Bates regained the advantage, the Bison responded with a stretch of points highlighted by a kill from Morse and back-to-back service aces from the sophomore, pulling Nichols even at eight. The Bobcats answered with a run of their own to create separation, but Nichols continued to fight with kills from McKayle, Pratt and Morse before Bates took the second set, 25-17.
The Bison once again struck first in the third set, using a kill from McKayle to take an early 2-1 lead. Bates responded with a 6-0 run to move ahead, but Nichols battled back with kills from Rodrigues and Pierre to cut into the deficit. Morse and McKayle continued to provide offense as the Bison stayed within striking distance, with Nichols eventually reaching 15 points. The Bobcats maintained their advantage down the stretch, closing out the set, 25-15, to complete the sweep.
The Bison will remain on the road for their next matchup on Saturday, September 19th, when they travel to the Harold Alfond Center to face the Dean Bulldogs at 1:00 PM and the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Monks at 3:00 for the Saint Joseph's (Maine) Tri-Match.
