DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 8, 2025) – The Mercy University volleyball team hosts Pace University on Tuesday, September 9th at 7 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 9th 7 p.m.
Records: Mercy (1-0), Pace (2-0)
Location: Judge Athletic Center
Last Meeting vs. Pace
Mercy earned a 3-1 win over Pace on September 17, 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 opened their 2025 season with a 3-0 win over Caldwell on Thursday. Mercy was led by senior Gabriela Bieniek who had a match-high 15 kills and junior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez who had a match-high 35 assists. Senior Samantha Cooney had a match-high 12 digs and freshman Isabella Brown had a match-high four aces. Sophomore Grace Dilena had 11 kills and seven digs and junior Mia Illes-Hair had eight kills. Mercy looks to start 2-0 for the first time since 2023 and looks to defeat Pace for the fifth straight time.
Scouting the Setters
Pace began their 2025 season with wins over Bridgeport and Caldwell. The Setters were picked tied for fifth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 11-11 last season. Pace has been led by Kadence Ackmann who has a team-high 21 kills. Keelah Chambliss is second with 18 kills and Aralyn Saulys leads the team with 40 assists. Alice Bender has a team-high 28 digs and Emily Cineus has a team-high seven blocks.
Next Game
Mercy plays at Post on Thursday, September 11th at 7 p.m.
