DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 13, 2021) – Despite a match-high 19 kills from junior Larissa Schneid (Sao Paulo, Brazil/Iowa Western CC) and a double-double from junior Yarianne Gonzalez (Manati, P.R./Monroe College) and senior Nilka Rivera Maldonado (Bayamon, P.R./Concordia College), the Mercy College volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (16-25, 20-25, 25-22, 22-25) decision to ECC foe University of Bridgeport on Wednesday night at Victory Hall Gymnasium.

The Mavericks (8-10, 4-2 ECC) have dropped two matches in a row, while the Purple Knights (9-8, 4-2 ECC) move into a tie for second place in the ECC standings.

Schneid had 19 kills, nine digs and a match-high six aces. Gonzalez had a match-high 44 assists and 16 digs and Rivera Maldonado (Bayamon, P.R./Concordia College) had 12 kills and 10 digs. Senior Sophia Flanders (Hamden, Conn./Hamden) had 12 digs and junior Ayzaline Garay (San Juan, P.R./Bronx School of Law, Government and Justice) had 10 digs. Senior Tynesha Adams (Prattville, Ala./Bethune Cookman University) added seven kills.

Bridgeport was led by Paola Hernandez who had a team-high 13 kills.

The Purple Knights held a 5-4 lead in set one after a Rivera Maldonado kill. Bridgeport rattled off five straight points to take a 10-4 lead. Mercy later made it 11-7 after a Schneid kill, but the visitors went on an 11-5 run to increase their lead to 22-12. The Purple Knights held on for the 25-16 set one win.

Mercy took a 5-2 lead in set two after an Adams kill. Bridgeport followed with a 13-3 run to take a 15-8 lead. Mercy cut the deficit to four late in the set, but an Amanda Keller kill gave Bridgeport the set, 25-20.

The Mavericks jumped out to a 9-1 lead in set three, aided by four Schneid aces. Mercy increased the lead to 12-3 after a Bridgeport service error before the guests rattled off a 13-6 run to get within two, 18-16. After a timeout, the Mavericks went on a 4-1 run to take a 22-17 lead. Bridgeport countered with a 5-2 run to get back within two, 24-22. However, a Stéphanie Lankhorst (Apeldoorn, Netherlands/Koninklijke Scholengemeenschap Apeldoorn) kill gave Mercy the set, 25-22.

Mercy built a 9-5 lead in set four and later led 13-10 after a Jessica Angounou (Phoenix, Ariz./Betty H. Fairfax) kill. The Mavericks held a 21-19 lead late in the set after two more Schneid aces and looked to be on the verge of tying the match. Bridgeport would close the set on a 6-1 run to win the set and match.

Mercy had 51 kills, 66 digs, 50 assists, eight aces, five blocks and hit .174. Bridgeport had 55 kills, 42 digs, 48 assists, nine aces, four blocks and hit .276.

Head Coach Gary Preston Jr. and the Mavericks resume action on Friday, October 15th when they host AIC at 6 p.m.