Men's Volleyball Captures Five-Set Comeback Win at Nichols

THE BASICS 

Score: 
Emmanuel 3 – Nichols 2 (25-23, 14-25, 18-25, 25-20, 15-13)

Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (6-5, 3-1 GNAC)
Nichols College Bison (5-4, 1-0 NECC)

Location: Dudley, Mass. – Nichols Athletic Center

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

THE LEAD – After falling behind 2-1 after three sets, the Saints men's volleyball program claimed wins in the final two sets, defeating the Nichols College Bison, 3-2 on Tuesday night in non-conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the match-deciding set, the Bison looked as though they would hold on to the victory, jumping out to a fast 7-2 lead. But out of an Emmanuel timeout, the momentum flipped to the Saints, who won seven of the next nine, tying the set at 9-9 and setting up the tight finish. Five of the next seven points fell to Emmanuel, and after Nichols defended match point once, the Bison committed a service error, sealing the win for the Saints, 15-13.
• In the fourth, the Saints used a big scoring run to launch them to the fourth set win. Tied at 9-9, a 10-3 scoring run for Emmanuel provided plenty of space in the 25-20 set win.
• In the opening set, the Saints led by as many as six near the end of the set, but the Bison fought back to nearly overtake the Saints, however, a Nichols service error gave the first set to Emmanuel 25-23.
• The second and third sets were controlled by the Bison, helping them to a 2-1 lead. In the second, Nichols used multiple scoring runs, including winning five of the last six points to claim the second set 25-13. In the third, it was a five-point run in the middle of the set that gave the Bison breathing room in the 25-18 set win for Nichols.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Saints first-year Jyles Amirault (Andover, Mass.) led the team with 14 kills and five service aces.
• Junior Joshua McDonald (Smithtown, N.Y.) and first-year Thor Yingling (Truro, Mass.) each had eight kills. The eight-kill total is a career-high for Yingling.
• The Saints first set of the match is arguably one of their best of the season after combining for 16 team kills while hitting a staggering .560 from the floor.
• Bison sophomore Tanner Soracco (Oxford, Conn.) led the match with 20 kills to go with 12 digs and a match-best .485 attacking percentage.
• Junior Jake Harasyko (Glastonbury, Conn.) added 12 kills and four digs.

UP NEXT

• The Saints are back on Saturday as they head to Northern Vermont at Johnson State for a pair of matches with the Badgers.
• The Bison are back on Thursday as they travel into Boston for a match with Wentworth at 7:00 p.m.