DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 4, 2024) – The Mercy University volleyball team opens their 2024 season against Post University on Thursday, September 5th at 7 p.m. before hosting Goldey-Beacom College on Saturday, September 7th at 12 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Thursday, September 5th 7 p.m.
Records (2023): Mercy (15-9), Post (8-24)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. (Judge Athletic Center)
Date/Time: Saturday, September 7th 12 p.m.
Records (2023): Mercy (15-9), Goldey-Beacom (0-20)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. (Judge Athletic Center)
Last Meeting vs. Post
Mercy earned a 3-1 win over Post on September 7, 2019.
Last Meeting vs. Goldey-Beacom
Mercy earned a 3-0 win over Goldey-Beacom on September 5, 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. Mercy looks to win their season opener for the third straight season and looks to win their home opener for the seventh straight season.
Scouting the Eagles
Post went 8-24 last season, qualifying for the CACC Championship. The Eagles were picked fourth in the CACC North Division Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for Post is Caley Harper who led the team with 382 kills last season. Harper also had 252 digs and 33 aces. Hannah Brandt ended last season second on the team with 233 kills and Alyssa Groves returns after recording a team-high 602 digs. Colleen Romero was third on the team last season with 161 kills and returns and Izabella Rae is back after dishing out a team-high 511 assists. Sara Enright transfers from Southern Connecticut State where she was second on the team with 249 kills last season. Kristina Peric joins the Eagles from American International College where she had 194 kills a year ago.
Scouting the Lightning
Goldey-Beacom went 0-20 last season and were picked sixth in the CACC South Division Preseason Poll. The Lightning have dropped 25 matches in a row dating back to 2022. Leading the returners for Goldey-Beacom is Piper Nanouski who had a team-high 125 kills last season. Ma'kayla Coats also returns after ranking second on the team with 80 kills a year ago. Juliana Malena is also back after leading the team with 222 assists. Morgan Mendick also returns after leading the team with 144 digs and Megan Chesser returns after posting a team-high 29 blocks last season.
Next Match
Mercy resumes action on Tuesday, September 10th when they host Assumption at 6 p.m.
