DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 31, 2017) - Despite 29 assists and 15 digs from freshman Adriana Lopez-Soto (Gurabo, Puerto Rico/Notre Dame HS), the Mercy College volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (16-25, 20-25, 25-23, 11-25) decision to ECC foe Molloy College on Tuesday night at Dobbs Ferry High School.

The Mavericks have dropped four matches in a row (6-21, 0-11 ECC), while the Lions improve to 20-5 overall and 9-2 in conference play.

Freshman Courtney Gebhardt (Bloomingburg, N.Y. / Pine Bush) led the Mavericks offense with eight kills, two assists and one ace. Senior Sa'Naya Johnson (Elizabeth, N.J./Elizabeth) also added eight kills along with ten digs. Junior Neysha Gonzalez (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico / Monroe College) led the Mavericks defense with 17 digs.

Sophia Smith led the Lions with 57 assists and added 13 digs. Carly Banks recorded a match high 22 kills. Dakota O'Neill led the Molloy defense with 20 digs and added seven assists.

The Lions held control of the first set, not allowing the Mavericks to take the lead throughout the first set despite multiple close scores. The Lions recorded four unanswered points to secure the first set of the match 25-16.

The second set saw a back and forth battle between the Mavericks and the Lions.  Molloy was able to get off to a quick lead when they recorded four points to earn a 5-1 lead. After a Mavericks timeout, Mercy was able to record four unanswered points to tie the set at 5-5.  The Lions were able to secure the second set of the match after going on a seven-point tear to earn a 15-8 lead over the Mavericks. Mercy was unable to overcome the deficit and eventually fell 25-20 in the second set.

The Mavericks got off to a quick lead in the third set, with a kill from junior Kaitlyn Partridge (Corona, Calif. / Mt. San Antonio College) putting the Mavericks on the board early. The third set saw a back and forth battle. The Lions were able to tie the score up at 1-1, but a consistent Mavericks performance allowed Mercy to keep the lead and earn the 25-23 victory to force a fourth set.

The Lions came out roaring in the fourth set, taking a quick lead against the Mavericks.  Despite a hard fought set from the Mavericks, the Lions were able to record six unanswered points to eventually lead them to the 25-11 victory of the final set to take the match 3-1.

Mercy hit .194 with 33 kills and 58 digs, while Molloy hit .255 with 69 kills and 80 digs.

Head Coach Georgia Efthalitsides and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they play Queens College (N.Y.) starting at 7 p.m.