DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan women's volleyball team gave Mercy all they could handle in the first East Coast Conference match of the season, but in the end fell 3-2 (25-18; 27-29; 25-27; 25-18; 5-15).
 
The Redhawks finished the first set in strong fashion to go up 1-0. The team went on a 10-1 run and then scored six straight points to close out the set, getting kills from Celine Malosa, Morgan Verbridge, and Caleigh Schroeder.
 
Roberts had the opportunity to close out both the second and third sets, but were unable to get the final set point. In the second set, the Redhawks were up 24-22 and in the third set the team held a 24-21 advantage, but Mercy rallied to win both sets in extra points.
 
"There are a lot of things we did well," said head coach Doug Porterfield. "But the top of the list was seeing them play good volleyball as a team. We played an aggressive first four sets with solid serving, serve receive and offense."
 
The Redhawks fought back into the match in the fourth set with a 25-18 win, but couldn't hold the momentum in the final set, dropping it 15-5.
 
Sophomore Sydney Yanak led the team with 15 kills and also tied for a team-high with 12 digs. Schroeder, a freshman setter, had a career high 19 assists.
 
Senior Charlotte Orgill and Malosa both had three blocks with Laura Amaya adding in two blocks.
 
Roberts will return to the Voller Athletic Center this week for two home matches. Wednesday night the Redhawks host Daemen followed by D'Youville on Friday night. Both matches begin at 7 p.m.