Mercy University Athletics

The 2001 Mercy College Volleyball team, led by head coach Garvey Pierre, brought the program to new heights. After earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament the previous year, the Flyers came back with even more force in 2001.
 
A strong mix of seasoned veterans and talented youth gelled together to win its first 27 matches of the year.  The Flyers entered the conference tournament as the number one seed and nearly swept their way to a third straight NYCAC Championship, dropping only one game as they defeated Queens for the crown.
 
Mercy was rewarded with its fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament where it squared off against perennial power Bryant in the first round. The Flyers disposed of the Bulldogs 3-1 to earn a rematch with Queens.  Mercy responded with another convincing victory, taking the Knights in three straight games to capture the program’s first ever Northeast Regional Championship and advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
 
Mercy would fall to host Grand Valley State in an epic five-game quarterfinal round battle, giving the Lakers all they could handle, but the season was one to remember as the Flyers finished with a remarkable 34-2 overall record. 
 
There were many highlights along the journey. Sophomore Yulissa Zamudio was named NYCAC Player of the Year, finishing third in the nation in kills per game (6.09) and also earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament team. Monica Herrera led the nation in service aces per game (1.65) and earned a spot on the All-Conference team.  Garvey Pierre was voted by his peers as the NYCAC Coach of the year, while Adreann Stevens and Marie France Jean-Francois joined Zamudio and Herrera as All-Conference selections.
 
As a team, Mercy led the nation in hitting percentage (.340), was second in winning percentage (.944), and third in aces per game (3.87).  As a whole the team dominated throughout the campaign, blasting away old team records. The 2001 team still ranks second all-time for kills in a season behind only the 1997 team, which played eight more matches. Led by Herrera, they broke the school record for service aces in a season by 57 and no Mercy team has approached the total of 460 aces since.
 
Many members of the team continue to rank among the all-time leaders in Mercy volleyball history. Zamudio is third all-time in kills, sixth in total attacks, and 14th in digs. Herrera is the all-time leader in aces, fifth in kills, seventh in total attacks, and 12th in blocks. Myriam Lallemand ranks third all-time in digs and fifth in assists.
 
Members of the team were: Adreann Stevens, Nadia Guirand, Myriam Lallemand, Marie France Jean-Francois, Monica Herrera, Francheska Alcantara, Yulissa Zamudio, Kim Gargano, Janet Robertson, Cynthia Dainesi Leite, and Sports Information Director Steve Balsan.  They were coached by Garvey Pierre and Marcia Pennant.