DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 6, 2025) – The Mercy University Volleyball Team plays at Bentley University on Tuesday, October 7th at 6 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 7th 6 p.m.
Records: Mercy (7-2), Bentley (11-4)
Location: Waltham, Mass.
Last Meeting vs. Bentley
Bentley earned a 3-1 win over Mercy on October 24, 2024.
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 Franklin Pierce on Friday. Mercy was led by sophomore Grace Dilena who had a match-high 13 kills. Dilena and junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll last week. Senior Gabriela 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 131 kills on the year with 60 digs. Bieniek leads the ECC and is ranked No. 11 nationally in kills per set (4.23). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 295 assists with 80 digs and senior Samantha Cooney is third on the team with 77 digs. Dilena is second on the team with 120 kills and leads the team with 85 digs and junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes has a team-high 32 blocks. Mercy last beat Bentley in 2013. The Mavericks are 2-10 in their last 12 meetings against the Falcons.
Scouting the Falcons
Bentley is coming off a 3-0 win over Southern New Hampshire on Saturday for their seventh straight win. The Falcons were picked first in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 26-7 last season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Bentley has been led by Sophia Poehlein who has a team-high 181 kills with 88 digs and 21 blocks. Lulu Pavan is second on the team with 141 kills and Tory Vitko has a team-high 458 assists and 130 digs. Elizabeth Blinn has a team-high 88 blocks.
Next Game
Mercy hosts D'Youville on Saturday, October 11th at 11 a.m.
