DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 2, 2025) – The Mercy University Volleyball Team hosts Franklin Pierce University on Friday, October 3rd at 6 p.m.

Who, When and Where

Date/Time: Friday, October 3rd 6 p.m.

Records: Mercy (6-2), Franklin Pierce (4-8)

Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

Last Meeting vs. Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce earned a 3-2 win over Mercy on September 7, 2019.

Scouting the Mavericks

Mercy went 16-11 last season, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The Mavericks qualified for the ECC Championship for the fifth straight season and finished as Runner-Up for the first time since 2005. Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks were picked first in the ECC Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for the Mavericks is junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez who was named ECC Setter of the Year and AVCA First Team All-Region in 2024 after recording 1,031 assists, 183 digs and 44 blocks last season. Senior Gabriela Bieniek also returns after being named AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention last year. Bieniek ended the 2024 season with 333 kills, 55 aces and 222 digs. Sophomore Grace Dilena returns after being named ECC Rookie of the Year last season. Dilena finished with 334 kills and 211 digs in 2024. Senior Samantha Cooney is back after posting 122 digs and 10 aces and senior Marichelle Rodriguez returns after recording 17 aces last season. Juniors Mia Illes-Hair and Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes are back after combining for 164 kills and 99 blocks last season. Todorovic will also rely upon freshmen Isabella Brown, Ella Buonauro, Kori Sessions, Sophia Chapman, Kamila Colon Estades and Sophia Stack.

The Mavericks are coming off a 3-0 win over STAC on Wednesday. Mercy was led by sophomore Grace Dilena who had a match-high 11 kills. Dilena and junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll on Monday. Senior Gabriela Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll last week. Rivera Rodriguez was named ECC Setter of the Week on September 15th and Bieniek and Dilena were tabbed to the Honor Roll. Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez were both named to the ECC Honor Roll on September 8th. The Mavericks have been led by Bieniek who has a team-high 120 kills on the year with 54 digs. Bieniek leads the ECC and is ranked No. 12 nationally in kills per set (4.29). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 264 assists with 73 digs and senior Samantha Cooney is third on the team with 71 digs. Dilena is second on the team with 107 kills and leads the team with 76 digs and junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes has a team-high 29 blocks. Mercy last beat Franklin Pierce in 1998. The Mavericks have dropped the last four meetings to the Ravens.

Scouting the Ravens

Franklin Pierce is coming off a 3-1 win over Southern New Hampshire on Tuesday. The Ravens were picked 10th in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 2-18 last season. Franklin Pierce is led by Avery LeBlanc who has a team-high 103 kills and 106 digs. Katholiki Koukia is second on the team with 84 kills and Annaka Lindstrom is second with 100 digs. Lindstrom has a team-high 321 assists and Martina Spackova has a team-high 53 blocks.

Next Game

Mercy resumes action on Tuesday, October 7th when they play at Bentley at 6 p.m.