WALTHAM, Mass. – Despite a match-high-tying 14 kills from sophomore Grace Dilena (New York, N.Y./Liberty University Online Academy), the No. 3 seeded Mercy University Volleyball Team dropped a 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 12-25) decision at No. 1 seeded Bentley University in the Third Round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship on Saturday night at the Dana Center.
The Mavericks (22-5) see their season come to an end in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. Mercy won their first ECC Regular Season and Tournament Championships since 2001 and advanced to the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. Mercy ends the season with their most wins since 2001. The Falcons (27-4) have won 23 matches in a row and win their third straight East Region Championship. Bentley advances to the National Quarterfinals to be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on December 11th.
Mercy began the first set on the road with a service error from Bentley's Sasha Luzina, leveling the score early at 1-1. The Falcons then gained momentum with a series of five consecutive points, including a kill by Sophia Poehlein, establishing a 6-1 lead. The Mavericks responded with a strong offensive effort, led by senior Gabriela Bieniek's (Rzeszow, Poland/Indian Hills CC) three kills, narrowing the gap to 7-4.
Junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez (Humacao, Puerto Rico/American International College) orchestrated a comeback for Mercy, assisting on a series of key plays, including multiple kills by Dilena. This surge brought Mercy within one point, trailing 10-9. Despite Bentley's consistent scoring, Mercy managed to tie the game at 11-11 following another kill from Dilena.
As the set progressed, Bentley capitalized on Mercy's errors to rebuild their lead. Poehlein remained a consistent threat, contributing multiple kills to extend their advantage. Despite Mercy's efforts, including a late set kill by Rivera Rodriguez, the set concluded with Bentley leading 25-20.
Mercy opened the second set with a quick point from a kill by Dilena, assisted by Rivera Rodriguez. The Mavericks maintained a competitive edge with contributions from juniors Mia Illes-Hair (Lake Worth, Fla./Palm Beach Central) and Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes (Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristo Rey), keeping the score tight at 8-7. Despite a series of errors, Mercy managed to stay close with successful attacks from Bieniek and another kill by Dilena.
Midway through the set, Mercy capitalized on Bentley's service error to level the score at 9-9. However, Bentley seized momentum with a run that extended their lead to 18-13, with Mercy attempting to counter with a kill by Rodriguez Fuentes. Mercy's late push, highlighted by a kill from Rivera Rodriguez and defensive stops by freshman Sophia Chapman (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter) and Illes-Hair, narrowed the gap to 24-20.
The set concluded with Bentley securing the final point on a kill by Tory Vitko, sealing a 25-20 victory for the Falcons.
In the third set, Mercy faced an early challenge as Bentley established a significant lead, opening with a 5-0 run driven by Elizabeth Blinn's efficient attacks. Mercy responded with a Bentley service error to stop the initial surge, but Bentley continued to capitalize on errors. Despite this, Mercy saw some bright spots with Bieniek adding two more kills and Dilena contributing offensively.
As the set progressed, Bentley maintained momentum with steady play, extending their advantage to 18-6. A service ace from freshman Ella Buonauro (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) briefly interrupted Bentley's run, but consistent scoring from Bentley's Poehlein and Elena Coban pushed the home team's lead further. Mercy managed to close the gap slightly with points from Bieniek and freshman Sophia Stack (Louisville, Colo./Monarch), but Bentley completed the set with a kill from Coban, sealing a 25-12 victory.
Dilena led the Mavericks with a match-high-tying 14 kills, finishing with a .265 hitting percentage across three sets. Rivera Rodriguez contributed significantly to the team's playmaking with 24 assists and added four digs. Bieniek tallied nine kills and recorded five digs, also adding a block assist to her performance. Kamila Colon (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Colegio Catolico Notre Dame) fortified the defense, collecting 11 digs throughout the match.
Poehlein led Bentley, contributing 14 kills on 29 attempts for a .379 hitting percentage. Vitko played a pivotal role in playmaking, recording 38 assists while adding five digs and four block assists. Blinn showcased her versatility with nine kills, a .389 hitting percentage, and three service aces, alongside four block assists.
Mercy hit .119 with 31 kills, 36 digs, one ace and two blocks. Bentley hit .327 with 43 kills, 42 digs, six aces and seven blocks.
