Molloy University Athletics

Dobbs Ferry, NY- The volleyball team battled back from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set before falling to Mercy University, 3-2, this evening. With the loss, the Lions move to 10-12 overall and 5-4 in ECC play, while the Mavericks remain undefeated in conference action at 9-0 and improve to 21-1 on the season.
 
Mercy 25, Molloy 19
Mercy 25, Molloy 14
Molloy 25, Mercy 12
Molloy 25, Mercy 20
Mercy 15, Molloy 13

How it Happened

• Molloy opened the match with a 3-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back service aces from freshman Peyton Douglas.
• Kills from senior Erin Stanley and junior Franki Kelleher extended the Lions' advantage to 5-1.
• Mercy battled back to even the score at five before taking its first lead, 6-5, following a Molloy attacking error.
• The teams continued to trade points, tying the score eight more times through 16-16. Sophomore Haven Trechter recorded back-to-back kills during the stretch.
• The Mavericks regained control following a Molloy service error and pulled away to take the opening set, 25-19. Three kills from Grace Dilena, a kill from Adriana Rivera Rodriguez, and a service ace from Stasa Stamenkovic helped Mercy close out the set.
• The cardinal and white capitalized on three consecutive Mercy errors to open the second set with a 3-1 lead.
• After four ties, the Mavericks gained momentum with an 11-2 run to build a 17-8 advantage.
• Kills from Girard, Kelleher, and Trechter helped Molloy cut the deficit to eight, 20-12, but Mercy maintained its lead. Kills from Stamenkovic, Rivera Rodriguez, and Dilena, along with a service ace from Rivera Rodriguez, secured the 25-14 set victory and gave the Mavericks a 2-0 match lead.
• The visitors responded in the third set, using kills from Kelleher, Rios, and Girard to jump out to a 7-3 advantage.
• Mercy pulled within two on five separate occasions, but the Lions continued to hold its ground behind kills from Rios, Stanley, and Trechter, along with Douglas' third ace of the match.
• Freshman Olivia Smith recorded three service aces, while a kill from Girard extended Molloy's lead to 21-10.
• Aleksandra Lucic added a kill for the home team, but Trechter answered with a service ace before kills from Girard and Kelleher sealed a 25-12 Lions set victory, marking Molloy's first over Mercy this season.
• The fourth set remained competitive, with the teams trading points and tying the score three times before senior Hayden Riddle delivered three service aces to help propel Molloy to a 13-8 lead.
• Mercy fought back to close the gap, but the Lions maintained its advantage. Three kills from Rios helped secure the 25-20 set win, even the match at two sets apiece, and force a decisive fifth set.
• The Mavericks jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the final set.
• Kills from Rios and Stanley, combined with two Mercy attacking errors, brought the Lions within one at 7-6.
• The score would be tied three more times, with four kills from Dilena and a service ace from Stamenkovic helping Mercy regain control and close out the match with a 15-13 fifth-set victory.

Top Performances

• Girard led the Lions offensively with 13 kills, while Rios followed with 12 kills, seven digs, and two assists.
• Stanley contributed 11 kills and six blocks (one solo, five assisted).
• Smith recorded a career-high 26 assists while adding seven digs and three service aces.
• Riddle topped 20 assists and recorded three service aces.
• Trechter recorded nine kills, 10 digs, three blocks, two aces, and two assists.
• Douglas added three service aces and four blocks.

Up Next
The Lions are back this Sunday (Nov. 1) to take on Queens College at 12:00 p.m. in Flushing, NY.