DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 25, 2022) – The Mercy College volleyball team plays at Southern Connecticut State University on Friday, August 26th at 3 p.m. in their season opener and faces Assumption University at 5 p.m. at Southern Connecticut State University.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Friday, August 26th 3 p.m.
Records (2021): Mercy (13-15), Southern Connecticut State (23-11)
Location: New Haven, Conn.
Date/Time: Friday, August 26th 5 p.m.
Records (2021): Mercy (13-15), Assumption (8-12)
Location: New Haven, Conn. (SCSU)
Last Meeting vs. Southern Connecticut State
Southern Connecticut State earned a 3-0 win over Mercy on October 12, 2021, in New Haven.
Last Meeting vs. Assumption
Assumption earned a 3-0 win over Mercy on September 14, 2019, in Worcester.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy went 13-15 in 2021 and qualified for the ECC Championship for the second straight season. In 2021, the Mavericks finished with their highest winning percentage overall and in ECC play since 2005. Mercy was picked second in the ECC Preseason Poll. Leading the returners is senior Larissa Schneid who was named First Team All-ECC last season after leading the team in kills (327) and aces (48). She also was second on the team in digs (307) and ranked third in the ECC in kills. Also returning is senior Yarianne Gonzalez who was tabbed First Team All-ECC last year after recording 885 assists, 310 digs and 32 aces. She led the team in assists and digs. Senior Nilka Rivera Maldonado returns after being named to the ECC Honor Roll three times last year. She had 248 kills, ranking second on the team in kills. Senior Selma Vulic will return after ranking fourth on the team in digs with 268 last season. Senior Stéphanie Lankhorst also returns after posting 162 kills and 59 blocks a year ago. Lankhorst placed second on the team in blocks in 2021. Mercy has dropped 11 straight meetings to Southern Connecticut State with the last win for the Mavericks coming in 1999. The Mavericks are 6-6 in their last 12 matches against Assumption and last beat the Greyhounds on November 3, 2018.
Scouting the Owls
The Owls went 23-11 last season and lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Southern Connecticut State was picked sixth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after reaching the 20-win mark for the ninth time in program history. The Owls earned their third appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Leading the returns for Southern Connecticut State is Gabriela Gaibur who had a team-high 371 kills with 439 digs last season. Taylor Jones returns at setter after leading the team with 1,010 assists in 31 matches with 234 digs and 31 aces. Krishnalei So'oto also returns after leading the Owls with 526 digs in 34 matches.
Scouting the Greyhounds
The Greyhounds went 8-12 last season, falling to AIC in the NE10 Quarterfinals. Assumption was picked ninth in the NE10 Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for the Greyhounds is Alexis Distasio who had a team-high 204 kills last season with 181 digs in 20 matches. Carly Goodhue was second on the team with 160 kills and Anna Dean had 85 kills. Kyra Belden also returns for Assumption after leading the team with 577 assists in 19 matches last season. Barbara Illig led the team in digs last season with 375 and returns.
Next Match
Mercy will play at Caldwell on Thursday, September 1st at 5 p.m.
