WALTHAM, Mass. — Despite 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 dropped a hard-fought 3-2 (21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 9-15) decision at defending East Region Champion RV Bentley University on Tuesday night at the Dana Center.
The Mavericks (7-3) see their three-match winning streak come to an end, while the Falcons (12-4) have won eight matches in a row.
Mercy opened the first set with a steady performance, but Bentley took the early lead with a series of points, including a service ace from Sasha Luzina. Bieniek kept the Mavericks competitive with several kills, receiving key assists from Rivera Rodriguez, closing the gap to 10-9 at one point.
Midway through the set, Bentley extended their lead, but Mercy responded with a strong stretch, highlighted by Bieniek's continued offensive contributions and a service ace from Rivera Rodriguez. Despite the Mavericks' efforts to rally, Bentley maintained control, closing the set with a 25-21 advantage.
Mercy opened the second set with a strong effort, quickly leveling the score at 2-2 following a pair of successful plays, including a kill by Bieniek assisted by freshman Kamila Colon (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame). Despite maintaining a close contest early on, Bentley managed to capitalize on Mercy's errors, creating a mid-set lead at 6-4.
The Mavericks rallied with a sequence led by Dilena and junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey) to keep within striking distance, reducing the gap to 11-8. However, Bentley built momentum with consistent plays, extending their lead to 16-8. A resilient push from Mercy, highlighted by two service aces, cut the deficit to 17-16, showcasing their tenacity.
As the set progressed, Bentley's consistent offensive plays allowed them to inch ahead despite the Mavericks' efforts to close the gap. Bentley eventually secured the set 25-20, concluding a competitive set with Mercy showing moments of strong play but unable to overcome the Falcons' sustained lead.
Mercy began the third set by overcoming an early deficit with a series of strategic plays. Bieniek sparked momentum with a kill, leveling the score at 4-4.
As the set progressed, Mercy took the lead with a 5-0 scoring run, highlighted by kills from Dilena and Rodriguez Fuentes. Despite a brief Bentley rally that closed the score to 13-11, Mercy maintained focus with Rivera Rodriguez providing multiple assists, pushing the team to a 19-15 advantage.
Mercy closed the set by countering Bentley's final push, with Bieniek securing the last two points through consecutive kills. The set ended 25-20 in favor of the Mavericks, concluding with a decisive kill by Bieniek.
Set four began with Mercy establishing early momentum through a service ace by Rivera Rodriguez, setting the tone with a 1-0 start. Dilena contributed significantly with multiple kills, including a critical one from Rivera Rodriguez, helping the Mavericks maintain a narrow lead. Bentley took the lead back and built a 16-9 lead late in the set.
As Bentley mounted a challenge, Mercy relied on consistent offensive execution from Bieniek and Rodriguez Fuentes, who each logged key kills to keep the scores close. Tied at 19-19, Mercy's resilience showed as they pulled ahead again with decisive kills from Dilena, supported by Rivera Rodriguez's assists, pushing the score to 23-21. In the closing moments, junior Mia Illes-Hair (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) sealed the set with a final kill, solidifying Mercy's 25-22 set four victory over Bentley.
In the decisive fifth set, Mercy opened strong with an early lead facilitated by a kill from Dilena and a service ace, making the score 2-0. The Mavericks showed resilience as Illes-Hair and Rodriguez Fuentes contributed with crucial kills, maintaining a competitive edge at 5-3.
However, Bentley responded with a series of points, capitalizing on attack errors and effective plays from Elizabeth Blinn, which shifted the momentum and put Mercy behind at 13-8. Despite a late effort from Rodriguez Fuentes to narrow the gap, Bentley's service ace by Lauren Hallas concluded the set, giving the Falcons a 15-9 set five win and the match in five sets.
Bieniek led the Mavericks with a match-high and career-high 24 kills with 14 digs. Dilena added significant contributions with 17 kills, 12 digs and three service aces. Rivera Rodriguez facilitated the offense with 47 assists and bolstered the defense with 10 digs. Illes-Hair recorded eight kills and two blocks and Rodriguez Fuentes had seven kills. Senior Samantha Cooney (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) had nine digs and freshman Isabella Brown (New York, N.Y./John L. Miller Great Neck North) and Colon combined for 15 digs.
Elizabeth Blinn stood out for the Falcons, accumulating 12 kills, three service aces, and five total blocks over five sets. Sasha Luzina was effective from the service line with five aces, contributing significantly to the team's serve reception game. Tory Vitko was a pivotal playmaker, delivering 40 assists and matching Blinn with five total blocks, showing versatility in both setting and defense. Elena Coban, with a .538 hitting percentage, was efficient on the attack, contributing eight kills and four total blocks across the matches.
Mercy hit .175 with 58 kills, 69 digs, eight aces and four blocks. Bentley hit .179 with 50 kills, 55 digs, 15 aces and nine blocks.
Looking ahead, the Mercy team will host D'Youville University on Saturday, October 11. The match is set to take place in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., with play beginning at 11 a.m.
