DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. — Powered by a match-high 13 kills from senior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC), a match-high 10 digs from freshman Kamila Colon (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame) and a match-high 26 assists from junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College), the Mercy University Volleyball Team earned a 3-0 (25-15, 25-8, 25-15) win over ECC foe St. Thomas Aquinas College in a Making Strides Versus Cancer Pink Match on Wednesday night at the Judge Athletic Center.
The Mavericks (12-3, 7-0 ECC) have won five matches in a row and continue their best overall and ECC start since 2001. Mercy has won the last six meetings against the Spartans (4-15, 1-6 ECC).
Mercy started the first set with a strong defensive play, as freshman Kori Sessions (Spring, Texas/Carl Wunsche) and junior Mia Illes-Hair (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) blocked an attack to gain the initial point. Despite an early service error, the Mavericks quickly regained momentum with a kill from Illes-Hair to take a 3-2 lead. St. Thomas Aquinas briefly took the lead, but Mercy responded with a series of kills, including two from junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey), leveling the score at 8-8.
Mercy then seized control, fueled by Rivera Rodriguez's consistent setting, resulting in key kills from sophomore Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy) and Bieniek. A service ace from Bieniek extended Mercy's lead to 12-9. Continued pressure from Mercy, including blocks and kills, widened the margin further. Mercy closed the set with a service ace from Colon, securing a 25-15 victory.
The Mavericks quickly established momentum with a kill from Dilena assisted by Rivera Rodriguez and capitalized on an attack error by St. Thomas Aquinas to lead 2-0.
Mercy extended their advantage with a series of successful plays, including a kill from Illes-Hair and multiple contributions from Bieniek, whose offensive efforts widened the margin to 12-2. Consecutive attack errors by the visitors, combined with a service ace from Colon, further bolstered Mercy's lead to 13-3.
The Mavericks maintained their dominance throughout the remainder of the set, with Rivera Rodriguez facilitating kills for multiple teammates, including Sessions and Dilena. Despite a few service errors, Mercy's defensive blocks and consistent pressure led to a commanding 25-8 close to the set, demonstrating a strong performance.
Mercy began the third set with a strong showing, propelled by Colon's two consecutive service aces, which gave the Mavericks a 4-2 lead. This momentum was maintained as Bieniek and Sessions added key kills, extending Mercy's advantage to 6-2. Despite a brief rally from St. Thomas Aquinas, which included a service ace from Dahiana Garcia Atuesta, Mercy continued to press forward.
Midway through the set, Mercy capitalized on errors from St. Thomas Aquinas while Dilena and Bieniek contributed crucial kills. This effort pushed the lead to 12-6. St. Thomas Aquinas attempted a comeback, cutting the deficit to 13-8, but Mercy responded effectively with a combination of service aces and blocks, notably from Sessions, widening the gap to 17-10.
Mercy maintained their edge in the closing moments, as Bieniek and Rodriguez Fuentes delivered decisive kills. Colon's service ace brought Mercy to the brink of victory, and Rodriguez Fuentes sealed the set with a final kill, concluding the set at 25-15 in favor of Mercy.
Bieniek led Mercy with 13 kills and three aces. Illes-Hair posted five total blocks and added four kills. Colon recorded five service aces and collected 10 digs. Rivera Rodriguez had 26 assists and nine digs and Sessions finished with six total blocks and four kills. Dilena added eight kills and six digs and senior Samantha Cooney (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) had five digs.
Anna Gazzerro contributed significantly with 12 assists over three games, adding a service ace and five digs to her performance. Rosa led St. Thomas Aquinas' attack with five kills, achieving a hitting percentage of .050 across 20 total attacks, while also contributing a block assist.
Mercy hit .360 with 36 kills, 38 digs, nine aces and 10 blocks. STAC hit -.036 with 16 kills, 25 digs, three aces and one block.
The next challenge for Mercy will take them on the road to Philadelphia, Pa., where they will face Chestnut Hill College. The action is set to begin on October 27 at 7 p.m.
