DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. — Powered by double-digit kills from sophomore Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy) and senior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC) and a match-high 30 assists from junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College), the No. 1 seeded Mercy University Volleyball Team earned a 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-17) win over No. 4 seeded D'Youville University in the ECC Women's Volleyball Championship Semifinals on Friday afternoon at the Judge Athletic Center.
The Mavericks (19-4) have won four matches in a row and advance to the Final for the second straight year. Mercy is now 12-0 at home and will host No. 2 seeded Molloy University in the Final tomorrow at 5 p.m. The Saints (10-16) see their season come to an end after winning the ECC Championship last season.
Mercy began the first set with a strong opening, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead with a kill from Dilena and capitalizing on two attack errors by D'Youville's Cameron Ulinski. The team continued to apply pressure with a service ace from freshman Kamila Colon (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame), pushing the score to 5-1. However, the Saints responded with a series of points, including service aces from Angelyn Jaramillo, to briefly take a 7-5 lead.
Mercy regained momentum as Bieniek and junior Mia Illes-Hair's (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) kills tied the score at 8-8. Despite D'Youville's efforts to pull ahead, Mercy's balanced offense, highlighted by consecutive kills from Dilena and a crucial block by Rivera Rodriguez and junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey), maintained the pressure. As the set drew to a close, Mercy broke a 20-20 tie with a series of points, including another kill from Dilena and a service ace from Rivera Rodriguez, securing a 25-22 set victory.
Mercy capitalized on a series of strong plays to regain momentum in the second set. After an initial service ace by Rivera Rodriguez, Mercy faced a brief challenge as D'Youville's Gabrielle Dials contributed two kills. However, Illes-Hair and Bieniek each registered key kills that helped level the score at 8-8.
Midway through the set, Mercy surged ahead with a sequence of service aces by Dilena, widening the gap to 20-14. The team maintained control with contributions from Rodriguez Fuentes and Bieniek, who delivered the decisive kill to close the set. Mercy concluded the second set with a 25-18 advantage, extending their lead in the match.
Mercy quickly established dominance in the third set, capitalizing on a series of errors by the Saints. The home team surged ahead with a block by Illes-Hair and a kill by Bieniek, pushing the score to 6-2. Freshman Isabella Brown's (New York, N.Y./John L. Miller Great Neck North) service ace and Bieniek's subsequent kill extended Mercy's lead, marking a decisive phase in the set.
Mercy continued to apply pressure with consistent offensive plays. Rivera Rodriguez's assists were pivotal, setting up kills for Dilena and freshman Kori Sessions (Spring, Texas/Carl Wunsche), further widening the gap to 17-9. Despite a brief response from D'Youville, Mercy maintained control, with Rodriguez Fuentes adding crucial points.
The set closed with Mercy taking full advantage of D'Youville's miscues. Dilena's service ace sealed the set, culminating in a 25-17 victory for the home team, giving the Mavericks the match in three sets.
Dilena led the Mercy squad with 14 kills on 24 swings, achieving a hitting percentage of .458, and contributed a team-high five service aces. Rivera Rodriguez facilitated the offense by recording 30 assists and adding six digs. Illes-Hair made a significant impact at the net with seven kills and four total blocks. Bieniek added 12 kills and one ace. Brown had a team-high eight digs.
Dials emerged as a key player for the Saints, leading with 10 kills on 19 attempts, achieving a hitting percentage of .263 and contributing 11 points. Giselle Ramirez also made a significant impact with six kills and a .231 hitting percentage, while adding three blocks and scoring eight points. Alina Bertens Deckart provided stability with 21 assists, directing the team's offensive efforts efficiently.
Mercy hit .370 with 40 kills, 26 digs, 12 aces and seven blocks. D'Youville hit .164 with 29 kills, 25 digs, four aces and five blocks.
Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they host Molloy in the ECC Championship Final at 5 p.m.
