DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Mercy University Volleyball 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) have been named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First Team All-East Region, as announced by the organization earlier today.
The trio helped lead Mercy to their first ECC Championship since 2001 and their third straight NCAA Tournament berth.
Bieniek is named First Team All-Region by the AVCA after being an All-Region Honorable Mention selection last year. The ECC Player of the Year and First Team All-ECC selection led the ECC in total points and points per set (418.5, 4.92) and total kills and kills per set (354, 4.16), which both rank in the top 15 of NCAA Division II. The senior has played all 85 sets for Mercy this fall and added a team-leading 47 aces with 159 digs and 27 blocks. The outside hitter totaled double-digit kills in 22 of 24 matches to lead the Mavericks to a 20-4 overall record and 11-1 mark in ECC play en route to Mercy's first ECC Regular Season and Tournament Championships since 2001.
Rivera Rodriguez receives First Team All-Region honors from the AVCA for the second straight year. The ECC Setter of the Year and First Team All-ECC selection led the ECC in total assists and assists per set (797, 9.38). The five-time ECC Setter of the Week played in all 85 sets for Mercy and added 55 kills and 34 aces with a team-high 220 digs. Rivera Rodriguez totaled 30+ assists in 17 of 24 matches and finished with nine double-doubles.
Dilena receives All-Region recognition from the AVCA for the first time in her career. The First Team All-ECC selection is currently second on the team with 322 kills and 45 aces and is third with 187 digs. The outside hitter is currently second in the ECC in kills and third in kills per set (3.79). The ECC Championship's Most Outstanding Player has five double-doubles on the year and had a season-high 22 kills at Roberts Wesleyan on September 27th.
