DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 24, 2024) – Despite a match-high 20 kills from junior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC) and a double-double from sophomore Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College), the Mercy University volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (25-16, 18-25, 11-25, 25-27) decision to Bentley University on Thursday night at the Neil Judge Student Athlete Center.
The Mavericks (9-7) have dropped two matches in a row, while the defending East Region Champion Falcons (15-4) have won three matches in a row.
Mercy was led by Bieniek who had a season-high 20 kills with nine digs. Rivera Rodriguez had a match-high 38 assists and 13 digs and senior Aitza Cruz (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico/Polk State College) had 10 digs. Freshman Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy) had seven kills and six digs and graduate student Julia Pomerleau (Portland, Maine/University of Southern Maine) had seven kills and four blocks. Senior Anyelainy Vizcaino (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Southwestern CC) had four kills and five digs and freshman Lexi Stooksbury (Marengo, Ohio/Big Walnut) had four kills.
Bentley was led by Caitlin Wunder who had a team-high 10 kills.
Mercy jumped out to a 4-0 lead in set one after a Pomerleau and Stooksbury block. Bentley later cut the Mavericks lead to two, 6-4, before Mercy scored five straight points to take an 11-4 lead after a Cruz ace. The Falcons later made it 12-8 before the Mavericks scored three of the next four points to take a 15-9 lead after a Dilena kill. Bentley later cut the Mercy lead to five, 20-15, before the Mavericks ended the set on a 5-1 run, capped off by a Dilena kill, to take the set, 25-16.
Mercy built a 4-2 lead in set two and later held a 9-7 lead. Bentley scored five unanswered points to take a 12-9 lead before the Mavericks rallied with four of the next five points to even the set at 13-13 after a Dilena kill. The Falcons ensued with a 10-2 run to take a 23-15 lead. A Dilena kill later made it 24-18, but Rachel Vitko ended the set with a kill to give Bentley the 25-18 set two win.
Bentley scored the first three points of the third set and later held a 16-5 lead. The Falcons led the rest of the set, earning the 25-11 set three win.
Mercy took a 9-6 lead in set four and later held a 10-8 lead after a Bieniek kill. Bentley tied the score at 10-10 following two straight points before the Mavericks recorded three points in a row to take a 13-10 lead after a Pomerleau kill. Bentley went on a 7-0 run to take a 17-13 lead and later held a 23-18 lead. Mercy responded with six consecutive points to retake the lead at 24-23 following a Bieniek kill. The Mavericks served for set point, but a service error tied the set at 24-24. Pomerleau gave Mercy the lead back with a kill to make it 25-24. The Mavericks served again for set point, but the Falcons used two kills from Wunder and a block from Elizabeth Blinn and Wunder to take the set, 27-25, and the match in four sets.
Mercy hit .076 with 42 kills, 52 digs, six blocks and nine aces. Bentley hit .234 with 44 kills, 36 digs, 11 blocks and 11 aces.
Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, October 26th when they play at STAC at 4 p.m.
