Falcons carry 11-game winning streak into non-conference home match against Mercy
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley volleyball team eyes its 12th consecutive win when it hosts Mercy Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.
Inside the streak
Bentley's last four matches have been 3-0 victories, and the Falcons haven't dropped more than one set in a match during their current 11-game win streak. It is the program's longest win streak since the 2019 season (16 consecutive wins). The school record is 35 consecutive wins (1988).
Aces up the sleeve
Not only does Bentley lead the NE10 in aces per set (2.73), but the Falcons rank second in the country for the statistic. A pair of Falcons rank among the conference's top-10 for service aces per set. Jazzy Burke averages 0.54 aces per set, and Natalie Thom averages 0.52. Those marks rank eighth and ninth, respectively, in the NE10.
Blinn's blocks
Elizabeth Blinn's 1.35 blocks per set is tied for the fifth-best mark in the country. She is also tied for the conference lead in the category. Blinn totaled a career-high eight blocks in a 3-0 win at Franklin Pierce (Oct. 3).
Pick your poison
Bentley ranks second in the NE10 for points per set (16.7), and it is third in hitting percentage (.205). The Falcons rely on a dynamic attack that has produced three players that average at 2.50 kills per set so far this season: Ingrid Murphy (2.63), Rachel Vitko (2.52), Ellie Wheeler (2.51).
Around the NE10
Bentley and New Haven are both 4-0 in the NE10, but the Falcons have the most wins overall (15) among all conference teams. Although American International is 9-7 overall, it is near the top of the NE10 standings with a 4-1 conference mark. Adelphi has a formidable 13-5 overall record, and a 2-1 conference mark.
Scouting the Mavericks (9-3, 4-2 ECC)
Mercy's .230 hitting percentage leads the East Coast Conference, and its 2.33 aces per set is tops in the ECC. Larissa Schneid is second in the ECC for kills per set, carrying a 3.74 mark into Tuesday's contest. Yarianne Gonzalez leads the ECC in assists per set (9.90), and Julia Pomerleau's .417 attack-percentage leads the conference.