THE BASICS 

Score: Nichols 3, Emerson 0 

Records: Emerson Lions (0-1) ; Nichols (1-0)

Location: Dudley, Mass. (Nichols Athletic Center)

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020

The Lead: The Emerson Men's Volleyball tam fell to the Nichols Bison in their season opener with both Samuel Willinger (Golden Beach, Fla.) and Parker Gray (Los Angeles, Calif.) notching three kills for the Lions. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON

Kills: Willinger 3, Gray 3
Assists: Lucas Raagas 6
Digs: Josh Elliot 6, Willinger 4
Service Aces: Matt Connolly 1

Nichols

Kills: Ray Wang 7, Lance Law 6
Assists: Kevin Keohane 15
Digs: Annika Brooks
Steals: Oscar Chavez 11
Blocks: Hayward 1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first set, Emerson and Nichols traded the first six points before one of WIllinger's kills gave Emerson a 4-3 lead.  Nichols rattled off seven straight points from here, taking a six point lead at 10-6 behind the serve of Wang.  Nichols held their lead throughout most of the set, until the Lions went on a 6-1 run to cut the lead to four at 18-22.  The Bison were able to earn the next three points 
• In the second set, Emerson jumped out to an early lead behind the service of Matt Connolly, leading 5-2 after seven points.  The Lions extended their lead to six at 8-2 from two Nichols attack errors and a Gray kill.  Trailing 10-6, Nichols rattled off 13 straight points to take a 19-10 lead on the Lions.  Emerson scored three straight points to cut the lead to six, but the Bison closed out the third set at 25-13.
• In the third set, Nichols took an early commanding 9-1 lead, and did not look back.  The Lions battled throughout the set, but fell in the final frame 25-9 to the Bison.  

UP NEXT

• Emerson plays their first non-conference game away from Brown & Plofker Gym on Saturday when they travel to New London, Conn. to take on the Coast Guard Academy Bears at 1:00pm.