PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Highlighted by one of their most balanced efforts of the season, the Pace University volleyball team recorded a 3-1 win over Mercy College on Friday night at the Goldstein Fitness Center. The Setters have now won three-straight four-set matches as they improve their record to 8-2 this season.

Six different members of the Blue and Gold registered at least six kills in the contest, including a match-best 12 from senior Kathleen Benson (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park). Benson made just three errors across the four sets, posting a .375 hitting percentage. Junior Tatjana Calimpong-Burke (Waianae, HI/Iolani) joined Benson in double figures with 11 putaways, to go along with 10 digs and five blocks (team-high). Friday night marked her fifth double-double of the season.

Samantha Nidini (Houston, TX/Clearlake) and Sandra Yang (Bothell, WA/Edmonds-Woodway) were also strong on the offensive side of the ball—each tallying eight kills. Nidini and Katy Motz (Cedar Park, TX/Cedar Park) served as Pace's main passers in the contest, combining for 38 assists. Christal Wong (Elk Grove, CA/Cosumnes Oaks) and Mackenzie Byrne (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) rounded out the the Setters' attack with six putaways each.

Defensively, the Setters combined for nine total blocks while libero Danielle Vaiano (Seaford, NY/St. Anthony's) racked up a match-high and season-high 24 digs.

Pace also continued its stellar season serving the ball, racking up 11 more aces. As a team, the Blue and Gold now rank third in the NE10 in aces per set (2.0), while Vaiano ranks second in the league (0.57).

Up Next
The Setters will begin NE10 play next week when they host American International College on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.