WALTHAM, Mass. – Powered by a match-high 23 kills from sophomore Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy), the No. 3 seeded Mercy University Volleyball Team earned a 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16) win over No. 7 seeded Holy Family University in the Second Round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship on Friday afternoon at the Dana Center.
The Mavericks (22-4) have won seven matches in a row and defeat the Tigers (23-10) in the schools' first meeting since 2011. Mercy advances to the Third Round for the first time since 2001. The Mavericks will face the winner of #1 Bentley/#5 Post tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Bentley in the East Region Final.
Mercy began the first set facing an early challenge as Holy Family secured the first two points. The Mavericks responded with a series of effective plays, including a kill by junior Mia Illes-Hair (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) and a kill by Dilena, keeping the score within reach. Despite a consistent effort from the Mavericks, including a noteworthy kill by junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College) and several impactful plays from senior Gabriela Bieniek (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC), the Tigers managed to extend their lead mid-set. A service ace and multiple kills widened the gap further. Mercy showed determination in the closing stages, with Dilena and freshman Ella Buonauro (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) contributing key kills to add to the scoreboard. However, Holy Family concluded the set with a kill by Mackenzie Layton, closing it at 25-16 in their favor.
In the second set, Mercy began with a strong start, opening with a 5-0 run, capitalized by Rivera Rodriguez's service ace and multiple kills from Dilena. Freshman Kori Sessions (Spring, Texas/Carl Wunsche) and Illes-Hair contributed defensively with key blocks, setting the tone early on. As Holy Family attempted to close the gap, the Mavericks maintained their lead with consistent offensive contributions, including kills from Illes-Hair and Bieniek, keeping the score in favor of the Mavericks. Despite a resilient effort from the Tigers, with Kalia Espenlaub and Mia Wise making notable impacts, the Mavericks held their advantage. In the final stretch, Dilena continued her powerful performance, securing the set with a decisive kill. Mercy closed the set with a 25-21 victory, maintaining a steady lead throughout despite Holy Family's late efforts to catch up.
Mercy began the third set with a steady exchange of points, highlighted by kills from Bieniek and Dilena, leveling the score at 3-3. Despite service aces from the Tigers' Wise, the Mavericks maintained pressure with Bieniek securing multiple kills to keep the score tight at 7-7. Holy Family gained a brief advantage with three consecutive points, but Mercy responded with a strong service performance, including aces from freshman Isabella Brown (New York, N.Y./John L. Miller Great Neck North) and Bieniek, which tied the score at 17-17. The Mavericks then gained momentum with back-to-back kills from Dilena, edging ahead 19-17. In the closing moments, the Mavericks capitalized on the Tigers' errors and a decisive block from Illes-Hair and Dilena, stretching their lead. A series of attack errors from Layton allowed to close the set with a 25-20 victory.
Mercy commenced the fourth set with strong service pressure, opening with a service ace by Rivera Rodriguez and building a 2-0 lead. The Mavericks maintained momentum with Illes-Hair's kill and Dilena's service ace, extending the score to 4-1. Despite Holy Family's attempts to close the gap, Mercy's consistent scoring, highlighted by kills from Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez, kept them ahead at 11-8. As the set progressed, the Tigers briefly tied the score at 11-11, but the Mavericks quickly regained control with a kill from Dilena. The Mavericks' defensive efforts, including a block from Bieniek and Illes-Hair, further solidified their lead. Brown's service ace helped Mercy stretch the score to 23-15. The Mavericks' defense remained resolute, with junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey) contributing crucial blocks. An attack error by the Tigers concluded the set, securing a 25-16 victory for the Mavericks.
Dilena posted a career-high-tying 23 kills and added nine digs. Illes-Hair contributed significantly on defense, recording a total of seven blocks with nine kills. Rivera Rodriguez facilitated the team's attack with 37 assists and added eight digs. Bieniek tallied 14 kills and two service aces. Freshman Kamila Colon (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame) had a match-high 11 digs.
Kalia Espenlaub stood out offensively for Holy Family, leading the team with 12 kills on 25 total attacks, achieving a .320 hitting percentage. Mia Wise was pivotal in setting up the attack, recording 36 assists and delivering four service aces, which underscored her dual-threat capability.
Mercy hit .267 with 54 kills, 47 digs, eight aces and 10 blocks. Holy Family hit .183 with 42 kills, 34 digs, 10 aces and three blocks.
Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they face the winner of #1 Bentley/#5 Post in the East Region Final at 6 p.m. at Bentley.
