PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Powered by double-doubles from senior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC), junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College) and sophomore Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy), the Mercy University Volleyball Team earned a 3-2 (23-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-20, 15-12) come-from-behind win at Chestnut Hill College on Monday night at Sorgenti Arena.
The Mavericks (13-3) have won six matches in a row and defeat the Griffins (4-17) for the first time since 2014. Mercy continues their best start since 2001 and now has their longest winning streak since 2002.
Mercy opened the first set with Bieniek delivering impactful kills, assisted by Rivera Rodriguez, to maintain an early tie at 3-3. Despite trailing, Mercy kept the score close through strategic kills from Dilena and junior Mia Illes-Hair (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central), supported by consistent setting from Rivera Rodriguez.
Midway through the set, Mercy faced a challenging stretch as Chestnut Hill extended their lead to 19-15. However, Mercy rallied with a series of points, tying the set at 21-21 through Bieniek's effective attacks and capitalizing on opponent errors.
In the closing moments, a service ace by Bieniek pushed Mercy ahead 23-22. Despite a strong effort, Chestnut Hill regained momentum with a final run, clinching the set 25-23.
The second set began with Mercy capitalizing on Chestnut Hill errors, as an early service ace by Dilena and a kill from Bieniek helped establish a 3-0 lead. Despite a brief rally by Chestnut Hill to tie the score at 4-4, Mercy responded with a kill by junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey), maintaining a slim advantage, 6-5.
Chestnut Hill managed to pull ahead, but Mercy regained momentum with a critical block by freshman Sophia Stack (Louisville, Colo./Monarch) and Illes-Hair, leveling the score at 15-15. Freshman Kamila Colon's (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame) service ace and subsequent kills from Bieniek extended Mercy's lead, prompting a timeout from Chestnut Hill as Mercy led 20-15.
Mercy continued to pressure Chestnut Hill with effective serving and forced errors, closing the set with a series of points, highlighted by senior Samantha Cooney's (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) service ace. The set concluded with a commanding 25-16 victory for the Mavericks, showcasing strong offensive execution and defensive resilience.
The third set began with Mercy facing an early challenge as Chestnut Hill opened with a 3-0 run. Despite an initial kill by Stack to get Mercy on the board, Chestnut Hill extended their advantage to 7-1, prompting Mercy to call a timeout. Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez contributed with key kills, narrowing the gap to 9-5.
Midway through the set, Mercy's defense made crucial stops, highlighted by a block from Stack and Illes-Hair, closing the deficit to 14-13.
As the set progressed, Mercy's scoring was matched by Chestnut Hill's offensive plays, with Kate Hanley and Maya Hopson securing points to maintain their lead. Despite late efforts from Dilena and Rodriguez Fuentes, Chestnut Hill concluded the set with a 25-20 victory.
Mercy opened the fourth set strong, with Dilena and Bieniek contributing early kills to spark a 4-0 run. The team capitalized on Chestnut Hill's errors and built momentum with a service ace from Cooney, extending their lead to 8-3.
Throughout the set, Rivera Rodriguez consistently set up successful plays, assisting on several key kills by Dilena and Bieniek. A strategic timeout by Chestnut Hill at 15-10 did little to disrupt Mercy's rhythm, as they continued to press with Bieniek and Rodriguez Fuentes adding points to maintain their advantage.
Despite a brief push from Chestnut Hill, Mercy stayed in control, with Illes-Hair's late block and kills ensuring the team closed the set decisively. The final scoreboard showed a 25-20 victory for Mercy, demonstrating their effective execution and teamwork throughout the set.
The fifth set began with Mercy swiftly gaining momentum after Dilena's kill, leveling the score at 1-1. Rivera Rodriguez set up a series of successful attacks, including kills by Illes-Hair and Bieniek, pushing Mercy to a 5-3 advantage.
Mercy maintained their lead through a combination of effective serves and successful blocks, as Rodriguez Fuentes contributed a significant block leading to an attack error by Chestnut Hill. Despite a timeout by the Griffins, Mercy's advantage extended to 9-6 after another miscue by the home team.
Chestnut Hill rallied to tie the score at 9-9, but Mercy responded with a kill by Dilena and a crucial service ace by Dilena, ultimately closing the set at 15-12. This decisive performance secured the match in Mercy's favor.
Mercy was led by Bieniek who had a match-high 24 kills with 11 digs. Rivera Rodriguez had 44 assists and a match-high-tying 16 digs and Dilena had 14 kills and 12 digs. Illes-Hair had 10 kills and five blocks and Cooney had 12 digs. Freshman Isabella Brown (New York, N.Y./John L. Miller Great Neck North) had eight digs and Colon added seven digs.
Chestnut Hill was led by Maya Hopson who had a team-high 15 kills. Sofia Rodriguez had a match-high 46 assists and Lilian Bandel had a match-high-tying 16 digs.
Mercy hit .252 with 60 kills, 71 digs, seven aces and eight blocks. Chestnut Hill hit .149 with 54 kills, 59 digs, 11 aces and eight blocks.
In their next matchup, the Mavericks will host Roberts Wesleyan University on November 1 in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. The contest will get underway at noon.
