WALTHAM, Mass. – Powered by a match-high 24 kills from senior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC) and double-doubles from junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College) and sophomore Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy), the No. 3 seeded Mercy University Volleyball Team earned a 3-2 (22-25, 25-17, 25-27, 25-20, 15-8) come-from-behind win over No. 6 seeded Molloy University in the First Round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship on Thursday afternoon at the Dana Center.
The Mavericks (21-4) have won six matches in a row and win all four meetings against the Lions (18-10) this season. Mercy now has their most wins in a season since 2001 and advances to the Second Round for the second time in three seasons. The Mavericks will face the winner of #2 Adelphi/#7 Holy Family tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Bentley.
The first set began with Molloy taking an early lead, capitalizing on a service ace. Mercy responded with a kill by Rivera Rodriguez, maintaining a competitive start. Bieniek contributed significantly with multiple kills, helping to level the score at 6-6.
Mercy took its first lead at 7-6 following a block by junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey) and Dilena, but Molloy regained momentum, resulting in a closely contested exchange. Mercy, bolstered by defensive plays, managed to stay within reach as both teams traded points, tying the score at 18-18.
In the closing stages, Molloy edged ahead with a service ace and effectively closed out the set 25-22, despite late efforts from Mercy to bridge the gap.
Mercy opened the second set with a strong defensive play, highlighted by an ace from Rivera Rodriguez to gain an early lead. This momentum was sustained through a series of kills from Bieniek, who scored three consecutive points, pushing the team to a 5-1 advantage. Despite several errors, Mercy maintained their edge, responding to Molloy's advances with key plays, including a kill from Rodriguez Fuentes, to keep the lead.
The set saw both teams exchanging points, yet Mercy managed to capitalize on Molloy's errors, extending their lead late with contributions from junior Mia Illes-Hair (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) and Dilena. A final kill by Rivera Rodriguez, assisted by freshman Isabella Brown (New York, N.Y./John L. Miller Great Neck North), sealed the set with a 25-17 victory, enhancing Mercy's position in the match.
The third set began with Molloy briefly pulling ahead after a service error by Julia Zalta gave Mercy the initial point. Bieniek responded with a kill from Rivera Rodriguez to keep Mercy within range, but Molloy capitalized on a series of errors to extend their lead to 9-5.
Mercy fought back with a decisive rally, including a key service ace from Brown and a block by Rivera Rodriguez and Rodriguez Fuentes, leveling the score at 12-12. As the teams exchanged points, Dilena added a crucial kill, and a series of errors by Molloy allowed Mercy to take a 19-18 advantage.
In a tense closing sequence, Mercy reached a 25-24 lead after a block by Bieniek and Rodriguez Fuentes. However, Molloy closed out the set with a service ace and a kill by Haven Trechter, securing a narrow 27-25 victory.
Mercy began the fourth set with a defensive stand, as blocks from Bieniek and Rodriguez Fuentes halted Molloy's early attacks. Mercy capitalized on these stops, quickly building a 3-0 lead. Despite some resistance from Molloy, including a service ace by Aria Miller, Mercy maintained momentum with consistent offense from Dilena and Rivera Rodriguez.
Midway through the set, Rivera Rodriguez's setting played a pivotal role, facilitating kills that expanded Mercy's advantage to 17-11. Mercy's offensive execution continued to shine, with Bieniek and Illes-Hair contributing crucial points to keep Molloy at bay. Mercy's lead was held firmly as they approached the end of the set.
Mercy closed the set efficiently, overcoming a late Molloy push with a final kill by Bieniek, assisted by Dilena, to secure a 25-20 victory. This performance highlighted Mercy's ability to sustain pressure and close out the match effectively.
Mercy opened the decisive fifth set with a service ace from Brown, immediately setting the tone. After a brief exchange of points, Mercy capitalized on a series of errors by Molloy, including a block by Rivera Rodriguez, to gain a slight edge.
Molloy tried to counter but was hindered by service errors. Mercy, led by Bieniek's consistent scoring, built momentum with a critical 5-point run, highlighted by Bieniek's kills and a service ace from Dilena.
Mercy maintained control, extending their lead further as Bieniek continued her offensive impact, culminating in a 15-8 victory, clinching the set and the match.
Bieniek had a career-high-tying 24 kills and Rivera Rodriguez was pivotal in playmaking, recording 38 assists and adding six kills and 12 digs. Rodriguez Fuentes excelled defensively, amassing seven total blocks while also adding six kills. Dilena added 14 kills and registered 11 digs and Illes-Hair had eight kills. Freshman Kamila Colon (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame) had a match-high 14 digs and senior Samantha Cooney (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) recorded seven digs.
Julia Zalta stood out for Molloy, accumulating 16.0 points over five games. Her contribution included 13 kills with a hitting percentage of .150 and 18 assists. Teresa Moulder was dominant at the net, leading the team with six total blocks, while also adding four kills. Erin Stanley made a significant impact with 14 kills.
Mercy hit .259 with 59 kills, 56 digs, four aces and 12 blocks. Molloy hit .090 with 49 kills, 48 digs, nine aces and nine blocks.
Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they face the winner of Adelphi/Holy Family at 4 p.m. at Bentley.
