DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 15, 2025) – The Mercy University Volleyball Team hosts Southern Connecticut State University on Tuesday, September 16th at 6 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 16th 6 p.m.
Records: Mercy (2-1), Southern Connecticut State (4-1)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Southern Connecticut State
Mercy earned a 3-0 win over Southern Connecticut State on October 2, 2024.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy went 16-11 last season, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The Mavericks qualified for the ECC Championship for the fifth straight season and finished as Runner-Up for the first time since 2005. Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks were picked first in the ECC Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for the Mavericks is junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez who was named ECC Setter of the Year and AVCA First Team All-Region in 2024 after recording 1,031 assists, 183 digs and 44 blocks last season. Senior Gabriela Bieniek also returns after being named AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention last year. Bieniek ended the 2024 season with 333 kills, 55 aces and 222 digs. Sophomore Grace Dilena returns after being named ECC Rookie of the Year last season. Dilena finished with 334 kills and 211 digs in 2024. Senior Samantha Cooney is back after posting 122 digs and 10 aces and senior Marichelle Rodriguez returns after recording 17 aces last season. Juniors Mia Illes-Hair and Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes are back after combining for 164 kills and 99 blocks last season. Todorovic will also rely upon freshmen Isabella Brown, Ella Buonauro, Kori Sessions, Sophia Chapman, Kamila Colon Estades and Sophia Stack.
The Mavericks are coming off a 3-2 loss at Post on Thursday. Mercy was led by sophomore Grace Dilena who had a team-high 21 kills. Senior Gabriela Bieniek and junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez were both named ECC Prime Performers last week. The Mavericks have been led by Bieniek who has a team-high 53 kills on the year with 27 digs. Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 117 assists with 22 digs and senior Samantha Cooney has a team-high 49 digs. Dilena is second on the team with 45 kills and 33 digs and junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes has a team-high 13 blocks. Mercy has won the last three meetings against the Owls.
Scouting the Owls
Southern Connecticut State is coming off a 3-1 loss against Holy Family on Saturday. The Owls were picked tied for eighth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 4-21 last season. Southern Connecticut State has matched their win total from last year. The Owls have been led by Kerrigan Habing who has a team-high 52 kills. Sydney Bennett is second on the team with 48 kills and Sarah Henault has a team-high 73 digs. Madi Roar has a team-high 84 assists and Kimi Mitchell is second with 74 assists. Elena Bianchi has a team-high 12 blocks.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Friday, September 19th when they play at Felician at 7 p.m.
