DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 30, 2025) – The Mercy University Volleyball Team hosts ECC foe Roberts Wesleyan University on Saturday, November 1st at 12 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Saturday, November 1st 12 p.m.
Records: Mercy (13-3, 7-0 ECC), Roberts Wesleyan (2-20, 2-4 ECC)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Roberts Wesleyan
Mercy earned a 3-1 win at Roberts Wesleyan on September 27, 2025.
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 3-2 win at Chestnut Hill on Monday. Mercy was led by senior Gabriela Bieniek, junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez and sophomore Grace Dilena who all had double-doubles. Rivera Rodriguez and Bieniek were named to the ECC Honor Roll on Monday. Rivera Rodriguez was named ECC Player of the Week last week, freshman Kamila Colon was named Defensive Player of the Week and 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 241 kills on the year with 109 digs. Bieniek leads the ECC and is ranked No. 12 nationally in kills per set (4.30). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 526 assists with a team-high 145 digs and senior Samantha Cooney is third on the team with 127 digs. Dilena is second on the team with 206 kills and 141 digs and Illes-Hair has a team-high 54 blocks. Mercy is 12-12 against Roberts Wesleyan, but have won 10 of the last 11 meetings against the Redhawks. The Mavericks are off to their best start since 2001 when they started 16-0 and their best ECC start since 2001. Mercy has their longest winning streak since 2002.
Scouting the Redhawks
Roberts Wesleyan is coming off a 3-0 loss at Daemen on Wednesday for their fifth straight loss. The Redhawks were picked tied for fifth in the ECC Preseason Poll after going 12-13 last season. Roberts Wesleyan is led by Camryn Karelus who has a team-high 212 kills with 34 blocks. Sierra George has a team-high 426 assists and Alexis Kessler has a team-high 216 digs. Morgan Verbridge has a team-high 58 blocks and Rachel Dixon is second on the team with 98 kills.
Next Game
Mercy hosts AIC on Tuesday, November 4th at 7 p.m.
