SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 6, 2024) – Despite seven different Mavericks recording a kill, the Mercy University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (14-25, 15-25, 13-25) decision at regionally-ranked American International College on Wednesday night at Henry A. Butova Gymnasium.
The Mavericks (12-8) see their three-match winning streak come to an end, while the Yellow Jackets (13-6) have won 12 matches in a row.
Mercy was led by junior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC) who had a team-high-tying six kills with five digs and freshman Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy) also had a team-high six kills. Graduate student Julia Pomerleau (Portland, Maine/University of Southern Maine) and sophomore Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey) both had four kills and sophomore Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College) had 15 assists. Senior Aitza Cruz (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico/Polk State College) had a team-high seven digs and junior Samantha Cooney (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) had five digs.
AIC was led by Janelys Perez Cortes who had a match-high 11 kills.
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 13-2 lead in set one. The Mavericks later cut the deficit to eight, 22-14, but AIC scored the final three points of the set to take the opening set, 25-14.
AIC scored the first four points of the second set and later held a 7-2 lead. Mercy later trimmed the Yellow Jackets lead to three, 8-5. However, AIC answered with a 14-4 run to take a 22-9 lead. The Mavericks went on a 6-2 run, capped off by a Bieniek ace, to make it 24-15. A Chelsea Foulis kill gave AIC the set, 25-15.
A Rivera Rodriguez ace to start the third set gave Mercy a 1-0 lead. AIC ensued with a 17-4 run to take a 17-5 lead. A Rodriguez Fuentes kill late in the set made it 23-13, but a Mercy service error and attack error gave the Yellow Jackets the 25-13 set three win and the match in three sets.
Mercy hit .073 with 23 kills, 26 digs, three blocks and five aces. AIC hit .392 with 39 kills, 36 digs, eight blocks and 10 aces.
Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, November 9th when they host Daemen at 12 p.m.
