COLONIA, N.J. – Five student-athletes from the East Coast Conference have earned All-Region status from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA).
Unanimous ECC Player of the Year Gabriela Bieniek was the lone First Team selection on both squads. The Mercy senior outside hitter led the ECC in total points and points per set (418.5, 4.92) and total kills and kills per set (354, 4.16), which both rank in the top 15 of NCAA Division II. The senior has played all 85 sets for Mercy this fall and added a team-leading 47 aces with 159 digs and 27 blocks. The outside hitter totaled double-digit kills in 22 of 24 matches to lead the Mavericks to a 20-4 overall record and 11-1 mark in ECC play en route to Mercy's first ECC Regular Season and Tournament Championships since 2001.
All-ECC First Team selection and ECC Championship Tournament Most Outstanding Player Grace Dilena also earned a spot on both teams as an All-AVCA First Team pick and All-D2CCA Second Team honoree. The Mercy sophomore outside hitter is currently second on the team with 322 kills and 45 aces and is third with 187 digs. Dilena is also currently second in the ECC in kills and third in kills per set (3.79) and has five double-doubles on the year.
Unanimous ECC Setter of the Year Adriana Rivera Rodriguez of Mercy and unanimous ECC Libero of the Year Aria Miller of Molloy also earned recognition, with Rivera Rodriguez landing on the All-AVCA First Team and Miller earning a spot on the All-D2CCA Second Team.
Rivera Rodriguez led the ECC in total assists and assists per set (797, 9.38). The five-time ECC Setter of the Week played in all 85 sets for Mercy and added 55 kills and 34 aces with a team-high 220 digs. Rivera Rodriguez totaled 30+ assists in 17 of 24 matches and finished with nine double-doubles.
Miller started all 27 contests this season, totaling 390 digs, 69 assists, and 27 aces to date. Over the season, she reached double digit digs in 19 contests and topped 20 in eight.
All-ECC First Team pick Julia Zalta rounds out the ECC representation on the All-Region squads with an Honorable Mention nod from the AVCA. The Molloy graduate student setter competed in all 27 contests and totaled 547 assists, 487 digs, 196 kills, 89 blocks, and 55 service aces. She totaled 16 double-doubles and one triple-double, putting up 13 kills, 19 assists, and 10 digs at Daemen.
The AVCA, located in Lexington, KY, is managed by Associations International. With a membership of over 9,000 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and promoting the sport. Members include collegiate, high school, club, youth, and Olympic coaches, as well as volleyball club directors. The AVCA provides professional development for volleyball coaches, recognition of elite players and coaches, promotion of volleyball competitions throughout the world, and networking opportunities for volleyball products and services providers.
Sports Information Directors from NCAA Division II East Region schools and conferences selected the two CCA All-Region teams. The process concludes with All-American selections announced at the NCAA Division II Final Eight Championship. The Division II CCA encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.
For a full breakdown of Division II Volleyball All-East Region Teams, please see the list below.
AVCA ALL-EAST REGION
First Team
Gabriela Bieniek, Mercy, OH, Sr.
Grace Dilena, Mercy, OH, So.
Adriana Rivera Rodriguez, Mercy, S, Jr.
Honorable Mention
Julia Zalta, Molloy, S, Gr.
D2CCA ALL-EAST REGION
First Team
Gabriela Bieniek, Mercy, OH, Sr.
Second Team
Grace Dilena, Mercy, OH, So.
Aria Miller, Molloy, L/DS, Sr.