The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men’s volleyball team dropped their first match of the day to Nichols College by a score of 3-0 on Feb. 16.

The Badgers fell by scores of 25-7, 25-7 and 25-11 in their first match of the afternoon. Ryan Willette (Wolfeboro, N.H.) paced the Badgers with three kills in the contest. Garrison French (New Berlin, N.Y.) contributed two kills and two digs, while Wyatt Moberg added three assists.
The Bison controlled most of the first set taking an early 11-2 run. The Badgers responded well to the initial run as a Bison attack error and Randy Willette’s two service aces paced the Badgers and brought them within five. With another Willette serve the Bison earned a kill from Collin Hunter.
The Bison point started their largest run of the first set and paced the Bison to close out the first set by a count of 25-7.

Headed into the second set of the match the story was similar. The Bison started strong leading 6-0 until Austin Walters (Grantham, N.H.) scored a kill to put the Badgers on the board. The Badgers would score their second point of the set with the Bison up 9-1 after a Willette kill.
The Bison went on another big run as they closed the set winning 25-7.

In the third set of action the Badgers showed more aggression with their attack. Midway through the Bison led 7-5. The Badgers were paced by a couple of aces from French and two consecutive errors from the Bison. After a Badger service error, the Bison extended their lead 19-9. With an error by the Bison and a Moberg service ace, the Badgers regained some control.

With Willette serving, the Badgers struggled to keep the ball in play and were issued a service error. Leading 23-11 the Bison closed out the match winning the last set 25-11.