DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 26, 2025) – The Mercy University Volleyball Team plays at Chestnut Hill College on Monday, October 27th at 7 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Monday, October 27th 7 p.m.
Records: Mercy (12-3), Chestnut Hill (4-16)
Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
Last Meeting vs. Chestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill earned a 3-0 win over Mercy on September 1, 2018.
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 senior Gabriela Bieniek who had a match-high 13 kills. Junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez was named ECC Player of the Week on Monday, freshman Kamila Colon was named Defensive Player of the Week and sophomore Grace Dilena was named to the Honor Roll. Bieniek was named ECC Player of the Week on October 13th, junior Mia Illes-Hair was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week and Rivera Rodriguez was named to the Honor Roll. Illes-Hair was named ECC Player of the Week on October 6th, sophomore Grace Dilena was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week and Rivera Rodriguez was named Setter of the Week. Dilena and Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll on September 29th. Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll on September 22nd. 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 217 kills on the year with 98 digs. Bieniek leads the ECC and is ranked No. 14 nationally in kills per set (4.25). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 482 assists with a team-high-tying 129 digs and senior Samantha Cooney is third on the team with 115 digs. Dilena is second on the team with 192 kills and has a team-high-tying 129 digs and Illes-Hair has a team-high 49 blocks. Mercy is 3-2 in their last five meetings against Chestnut Hill and look to beat the Griffins for the first time since 2014. The Mavericks are off to their best start since 2001 when they started 15-0 and their best ECC start since 2001.
Scouting the Griffins
Chestnut Hill is coming off a 3-1 loss at Post on Saturday for their fifth straight loss. The Griffins were picked fifth in the CACC South Division Preseason Poll after going 17-10 last season, qualifying for the CACC Championship. Chestnut Hill has been led by Nicole Dimiris who has a team-high 148 kills and 47 blocks. Kate Hanley is second on the team with 133 kills and Sarah Allen has a team-high 153 digs. Sofia Rodriguez has a team-high 540 assists and is second on the team with 139 digs.
Next Game
Mercy hosts Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday, November 1st at 12 p.m.
