DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 30, 2024) – The Mercy University volleyball team plays at Southern Connecticut State on Wednesday, October 2nd at 7 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 2nd 7 p.m.
Records: Mercy (5-4), Southern Connecticut State (2-11)
Location: New Haven, Conn.
Last Meeting vs. Southern Connecticut State
Mercy earned a 3-1 win over Southern Connecticut on September 12, 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 3-1 loss to D'Youville on Sunday. Mercy was led by graduate student Julia Pomerleau who had a season-high 15 kills. Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll for the second straight week last week. The Mavericks have been led by Dilena who has 95 kills with 65 digs and 12 aces. Bieniek has a team-high 113 kills with 76 digs and a team-high 20 aces. Bieniek ranks fourth in the ECC in kills per set (3.42) and is fifth in aces per set (0.61). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 286 assists with 45 digs in nine matches and graduate student Julia Pomerleau has 71 kills and a team-high 27 blocks this season. Rivera Rodriguez is second in the ECC in assists per set (9.86). Anyelainy Vizcaino has 53 kills and senior Aitza Cruz has a team-high 120 digs. Pomerleau leads the ECC with a .472 hitting percentage. Sophomore Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes also leads the ECC with 1.00 blocks per set. Mercy looks to defeat the Owls for the third straight time.
Scouting the Owls
Southern Connecticut State is coming off a 3-0 win over Caldwell on Saturday. The Owls will host Chestnut Hill on Monday before hosting Mercy on Wednesday. Southern Connecticut was picked ninth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 14-17 last season. The Owls have been led by Raegen Emery who has a team-high 129 kills and is second with 95 digs. Julia Jaworowski is second on the team with 76 kills and Jalie Miller has a team-high 106 digs. Madi Roar has a team-high 223 assists and Sarah Stark has a team-high 30 blocks. Lily Miller has a team-high 20 aces and is second with 136 assists.
Next Match
Mercy resumes action on Sunday, October 6th when they host Roberts Wesleyan at 12 p.m.
