DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Nov. 4, 2024) – The Mercy University volleyball team plays at American International College on Wednesday, November 6th at 7 p.m.

Who, When and Where

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 6th 7 p.m.

Records: Mercy (12-7), American International (12-6)

Location: Springfield, Mass.

Last Meeting vs. AIC

Mercy earned a 3-0 win over AIC on November 9, 2023.

Scouting the Mavericks

Mercy went 15-9 last season, earning their first NCAA Tournament win since 2001 in their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. The Mavericks qualified for the ECC Championship for the fourth straight season and finished with their most wins in a season since 2005. Third-year head coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks were picked second in the ECC Preseason Poll released last month. Returning for the Mavericks is graduate student Julia Pomerleau who has been named Second Team All-ECC each of the last two seasons. Pomerleau started all 24 matches last season and had 205 kills, 63 blocks and hit .401. She led the team in blocks and hitting percentage and was second in kills. The graduate student ranked 10th nationally in hitting percentage and was third in the ECC in blocks. Also returning is senior Anyelainy Vizcaino who was named All-ECC Honorable Mention in 2022. Vizcaino had 200 kills, 32 aces, 95 digs and 23 blocks in 2023. She led the team in aces and was third in kills. Senior Aitza Cruz is also back in the fold after being named ECC Defensive Player of the Week once last year. Cruz had 247 digs a year ago, ranking second on the team. Sophomore Mia Illes-Hair is also back after being named ECC Rookie of the Week once last season. She recorded 78 kills, 50 blocks, 15 aces and hit .294. Junior Samantha Cooney returns after posting 119 digs and sophomore Alanis Calderon is back after posting 81 assists, 19 aces and 36 digs in 2023.

The Mavericks are coming off a 3-2 win at Roberts Wesleyan on Sunday for their third straight win. Mercy was led by sophomore Adriana Rivera Rodriguez, junior Gabriela Bieniek and freshman Grace Dilena who all had double-doubles. Dilena was named ECC Rookie of the Week on Monday and graduate student Julia Pomerleau and Rivera Rodriguez were tabbed to the Honor Roll. Rivera Rodriguez was named ECC Setter of the Week last week and senior Aitza Cruz, Bieniek and Dilena were tabbed to the Honor Roll. Dilena was named ECC Player and Rookie of the Week last week and Rivera Rodriguez was tabbed Setter of the Week. Bieniek and Pomerleau were named to the Honor Roll. Bieniek was named ECC Co-Player of the Week, Pomerleau was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week, Rivera Rodriguez was named Setter of the Week and Dilena was named Rookie of the Week on October 14th. Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll for the third straight week on October 7th. The Mavericks have been led by Dilena who has 225 kills with 149 digs and 36 aces. Bieniek has a team-high 231 kills with 152 digs and 30 aces. Bieniek ranks third in the ECC in kills per set (3.50). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 724 assists with 124 digs in 19 matches and graduate student Julia Pomerleau has 179 kills and a team-high 60 blocks this season. Rivera Rodriguez leads the ECC in assists per set (10.34). Anyelainy Vizcaino has 97 kills and senior Aitza Cruz has a team-high 190 digs. Pomerleau leads the ECC with a .427 hitting percentage. Mercy is 2-6 in their last eight meetings against AIC.

Scouting the Yellow Jackets

AIC is coming off a 3-0 win over Saint Anselm on Friday for their 11th straight win. The Yellow Jackets are 8-0 at home this season. AIC was picked fourth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 16-11 last season, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. The Yellow Jackets have been led by Victoria Mendez who has a team-high 169 kills with 318 assists, 174 digs and 44 blocks. Carissa Michel has 116 kills and Janelys Perez Cortes has 113 kills. Alice Di Francesco has a team-high 319 assists and Perla Rosa has a team-high 266 digs. Aleksandra Lucic has a team-high 30 aces and 72 blocks.

Next Match

Mercy resumes action on Saturday, November 9th when they host Daemen at 12 p.m.