DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – In a rematch of last year's NCAA East Regional Championship, the Bentley volleyball team reasserted itself as a regional powerhouse by sweeping Mercy (25-23, 25-20, 25-17) Thursday evening. It was the first loss of the season for the previously undefeated Mavericks (8-1).
Lulu Pavan had a team-high 14 kills for Bentley (7-6), and
Tory Vitko added 31 assists. Vitko was also a factor in the Falcons' defensive efforts, totaling five blocks and five digs.
Aaliyah Price Gooden, who recently earned Northeast 10 Rookie of the Week, led all players in total blocks with six.
Bentley limited the Mavericks to a .204 hitting percentage – Mercy's lowest mark of the season. The Falcons attacked at a .317 clip, hitting .300 or better for the fourth time this season.
The opening set was the most closely contested. Bentley held a 14-10 lead, but Mercy went on a 5-0 run to take a 15-14 lead. Neither side led by more than two points for the rest of the first set. The Mavericks held a 23-22 lead, but a kill by Pavan followed by consecutive service aces from
Yasmin Tonon ended the opening frame in Bentley's favor.
The Falcons were in control of the second set until the Mavericks took their first lead of the stanza at 14-13. When the score was tied, 19-19, Pavan, Gooden, and Tonon combined for three consecutive kills to take a 22-19 lead. The second set ended with consecutive kills by Tonon, and the 25
th point was a Gooden kill.
The Falcons never trailed in the third set, and their lead was as large as 11 points (22-11).
Bentley returns home for a non-conference match against Bridgeport Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.
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