New Boston's Isaac Borges makes a return for Rivier while Raider teammate David Smith (25) looks on. (Photo courtesy of Rivier University)

NASHUA, — The Rivier men’s volleyball team picked up its 11th straight win on Tuesday night vs. non-conference opponent Nichols College in four sets by a 25-16, 25-18, 19-25, 25-21 count.

The Raiders offense came out swinging tonight, setting the tone early through the first two sets. David Smith and Sokunbuth Ly were the go-to hitters for senior setter Pedro Campos. The first set had Rivier outhitting the visiting Bison 14 to 10. The Raiders went on a big run in the middle of the set behind Isaac Borges’ (New Boston) serving.

The set saw more of Smith and Ly as they put down 12 in the set to Nichols six. The Bison struggled through the first two sets to get a serve over but eventually figured it out in the remaining two.

The third set saw a turnaround for Nichols as the Bisons found a groove and defensively that sparked their offense. They had their best hitting performance with 12 kills and had a stretch where they blocked four attacks by the Raiders in a row.

The fourth set saw the Raiders jump out in front early behind Smith and Ly once again. However, Nichols played incredible defense to keep many attack attempts alive, giving their offense a chance to rally back. They did to a point but couldn’t quite get close enough to tie or take the lead.

Smith had 19 kills, 7 digs, and 4 aces while Ly finished with 12 kills and 10 digs and Campos tallied 41 assists, 3 aces, and 6 digs.

Tanner Soracco led the Bison’s offense with 14 kills, 2 aces, and 3 digs.

Rivier will host traditional power Springfield at the Muldoon on Thursday at 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

NORWICH 17, RIVIER 5

The Cadets (2-2, 1-1 GNAC) outpaced the Raiders (2-4, 1-3 GNAC) through the first half 10-3. Allison Sturgeon led the way with three goals in the half as her final two ended the second quarter.

Caitlin Newell of Litchfield would score two of the Raiders three in the half, with one coming in the first at 7:24 and the next in the second quarter at 9:23. Nashua’s Tara Saliany would tally the other goal for Rivier in the half in the second quarter at 12:39.

The second half saw seven more goals from the Cadets to push their lead to 17-5. Sturgeon would add one more to her stat line, giving her an impressive four goals. Valentina Drown and Michaila Furchak added three goals each.

Newell would complete her hat trick in the third quarter, with Abby Nadeau of Newbury rounding out the scoring for the Raiders in the fourth.

Rivier will be back in action Saturday against Johnson & Wales on Joanne Merrill Field at 3:30 p.m.