DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 11, 2017) - Despite a match-high 12 kills from senior Sa'Naya Johnson (Elizabeth, N.J. / Elizabeth) and 25 assists from junior Brooke Runge (Closter, N.J. / Northern Valley Demarest), the Mercy College volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (19-25, 19-25, 24-26) decision to LIU Post in an East Coast Conference matchup on Wednesday night at Dobbs Ferry High School.

The Mavericks (3-15, 0-6 ECC) drop their eighth straight match, while the Pioneers (18-3, 5-1 ECC) improve their win streak to nine.

Runge was a standout for the Mavericks as she recorded 25 assists, one ace, and five digs. Freshman Courtney Gebhardt (Bloomingburg, N.Y. / Pine Bush) added eight kills, four digs, and one assist. Junior Neysha Gonzalez (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico / Monroe College) recorded a team high 12 digs for the Mavericks.

LIU Post was led by Danielle Valenza who had a match high 13 digs. Guilia Genna added eight kills for the Pioneers.

The first set was a back and forth battle between the Pioneers and the Mavericks. LIU Post was able to get off to an early 3-0 lead to start the set. The Mavericks did not give up and continued to pressure the Pioneers, as they were able to bring the match within one point on three separate occasions. Three unanswered points from the Pioneers would increase the score from 19-16 to 22-16 to give the Pioneers a little comfort in the set. The Mavericks were unable to overcome the deficit and closed out the first set with a score of 25-19.

The second set of the night saw the Pioneers open up to an early lead as they were able to record four unanswered points to start the set. The Mavericks were able to record three back and forth points before LIU Post went on a 7-0 run to increase the score to 14-3. A Mercy timeout would allow for the Mavericks to re-group, as they were able to get the match to a 21-15 situation. Despite the comeback, the Mavericks were unable to overcome the Pioneers in the second set and eventually fell 25-19 to build a 2-0 lead.

The final set of the night found the Mavericks come out to score the first point of the set off of a kill by Johnson. The Pioneers answered back as they recorded three unanswered points to give them a 3-1 lead. The Pioneers were able to hold the lead throughout the remainder of the third set. Mercy gave the Pioneers a run for their money when they went on three 3-0 tears throughout the set. However, the Pioneers were able to overcome the Mavericks and eventually took the third set with a score of 26-24 to earn the 3-0 victory.

The Mavericks hit .232 on the night with 32 kills and 46 digs, while the Pioneers concluded the night hitting .254 with 48 kills and 54 digs.

Head Coach Georgia Efthalitsides and the Mavericks will look to bounce back when they host NYIT in an ECC matchup on Thursday, October 12th at 7 p.m. at Dobbs Ferry High School.