DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2025) – The Mercy University Volleyball Team plays at Roberts Wesleyan University in their ECC opener on Saturday, September 27th at 12 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Saturday, September 27th 12 p.m.
Records: Mercy (4-2, 0-0 ECC), Roberts Wesleyan (0-12, 0-0 ECC)
Location: Rochester, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Roberts Wesleyan
Mercy earned a 3-2 win over Roberts Wesleyan on November 3, 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 3-0 loss at Adelphi on Tuesday. Mercy was led by senior Gabriela Bieniek who had a match-high 12 kills. Bieniek and junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez were named to the ECC Honor Roll on Monday. Rivera Rodriguez was named ECC Setter of the Week last week and Bieniek and sophomore Grace Dilena were tabbed to the Honor Roll. Bieniek and Rivera Rodriguez were both named to the ECC Honor Roll on September 8th. The Mavericks have been led by Bieniek who has a team-high 98 kills on the year with 41 digs. Bieniek leads the ECC and is ranked No. 3 nationally in kills per set (4.67). Rivera Rodriguez has a team-high 197 assists with 53 digs and senior Samantha Cooney is second on the team with 55 digs. Dilena is second on the team with 74 kills and leads the team with 60 digs and junior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes has a team-high 20 blocks. Mercy is 11-12 in their last 23 meetings against Roberts Wesleyan but has won nine of the last 10 meetings. The Mavericks look to with their ECC opener for the first time since 2023.
Scouting the Redhawks
Roberts Wesleyan is coming off a 3-0 loss at Wilmington on Saturday. The Redhawks were picked tied for fifth in the ECC Preseason Poll after going 12-13 last season. Roberts Wesleyan has been led by Camryn Karelus who has a team-high 114 kills with 20 blocks. Morgan Burnett is second on the team with 63 kills and Ryan Hull has a team-high 155 assists. Alexis Kessler has a team-high 107 digs and Morgan Verbridge has a team-high 29 blocks.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Wednesday, October 1st when they play at St. Thomas Aquinas at 6 p.m.
