DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – The Mercy University Women's Volleyball Team opens its 2026 season on Thursday, August 27th at 7 p.m. when they host Felician University.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Thursday, August 27th 7 p.m.
Records (2025): Mercy (22-5), Felician (10-19)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Felician
Mercy earned a 3-1 win over Felician on September 19, 2025.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy went 22-5 last season, winning their first ECC Regular Season and Tournament Championships and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001. The Mavericks qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year and for the ECC Championship for the sixth consecutive year. Head Coach Ana Todorovic and the Mavericks were picked first in the ECC Preseason Poll and junior Grace Dilena was tabbed Preseason Player of the Year. Leading the returners is Dilena who was named AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, AVCA First Team All-Region, D2CCA Second Team All-Region, First Team All-ECC and the ECC Championship's Most Outstanding Player after starting all 27 matches with 373 kills and 212 digs last season. Also returning is senior Adriana Rivera Rodriguez who was named AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, AVCA First Team All-Region, ECC Setter of the Year and First Team All-ECC last season after starting all 27 matches with a team-high 896 assists and 244 digs. Senior Mia Illes-Hair also returns after being named Second Team All-ECC in 2025. Illes-Hair started all 27 matches, leading the team with 96 blocks while adding 187 kills. Senior Janneliz Rodriguez Fuentes returns after posting 109 kills and 87 blocks last season. Sophomore Kamila Colon was second on the team with 227 digs last season and sophomore Isabella Brown returns after posting 120 digs. Sophomore Kori Sessions posted 52 kills last season and sophomores Sophia Chapman and Ella Buonauro also return.
Todorovic also adds four transfers and one freshman to the team ahead of the 2026 season. Leading the newcomers is junior Aleksandra Lucic who transfers from Florida SouthWestern State College and American International College. Lucic was named NE10 Rookie of the Year as a freshman at AIC and was named First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-American at Florida SouthWestern last season. Junior Stasa Stamenkovic joins Mercy from Barton Community College where she was named First Team All-American. Junior Devin Brunk comes from Frostburg State University where she played two years, recording over 300 kills and 270 digs. Junior Mya Rodriguez joins the Mavericks from American International and freshman Maya Norlin comes from Oswego High School in Illinois where she was named All-Conference as a senior.
Mercy looks to win their season opener for the second straight year.
Scouting the Golden Falcons
Felician went 10-19 last season, qualifying for the CACC Championship. The Golden Falcons were picked fourth in the CACC North Division Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for Felician is Sandra Galas who led the team with 293 kills and was second with 265 digs. Rowan Jensen was second on the team with 216 kills and Kayden Mallette returns after leading the team with 367 digs. Sophia Watterson posted a team-high 512 assists last season and Ashanna Caviness returns after posting 133 kills in 2025.
Next Game
Mercy hosts Bridgeport on Saturday, August 29th at 3 p.m.
