Gaston Garners Third AEC Specialist of the Week Title, Brown Makes Honor Roll Appearance
Lancaster, Pa. – (11/6/2023) – Gwynedd Mercy University sophomore setter
Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) earned her third
Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Volleyball Specialist of the Week as she surpassed 1,000 career assists and contributed seven kills, 106 assists, seven aces, 17 digs, a solo block, and four block assists in non-conference matches with Alvernia University (L, 0-3; 20-25, 23-25, 16-25), King's College (PA) (W, 3-1; 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19), and Ursinus College (L, 0-3; 24-26, 20-25, 21-25). She was joined on the AEC Weekly Report by teammate, senior middle hitter
Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) who made her second Honor Roll appearance of the season. Neumann University senior hitter Regan Hickey (Ashton, Pa.) was named the AEC Player of the Week, while additional Honor Roll recognition was given to Marywood University senior middle hitter Casey Hagerstrom (Bethpage, N.Y.) and Marymount University duo; graduate outside hitter Kaitlyn Doyle (Hernando, Miss.) and graduate setter Alexis Franklin (Woodbridge, Va.).
Alvernia University (13-9) grew a 20-9 lead in the first set of Friday’s Senior Night competition, but eventually needed to fend off the Gwynedd Mercy University (11-15) in a 25-20 conclusion. In the second set, the Griffins took a 6-2 lead before Alvernia University responded with a 15-6 run that inspired their eventual 25-23 win. In the end, it was a 25-16 third-set final that earned the Golden Wolves the victory; 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16). Gaston complimented 24 assists with two kills, three aces, and three block assists. Brown scored a team-high 11.5 points in the match, totaling nine kills on a .368 (9K-2E-19TA) hitting percentage, while making a pair of solo blocks, and assisting on another.
Gwynedd Mercy University concluded their regular-season schedule with a Saturday tri-match at Ursinus College (12-15). The Griffins first defeated King's College (PA) (14-14) by a 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19) thanks to a career-high 51 assists Gaston, then lost to the hosting Bears in a three-set finish, 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-21). Gaston's impressive first match pushed her past 1,000 career assists as she closes in on seventh place on the program's all-time list. She also recorded four kills, an ace, a block assist, and eight digs. Brown totaled 11 kills on a .333 (11K-3E-24TA) hitting percentage, while additionally recording an ace, a block assist, and five digs. In the latter loss to Ursinus College, Gaston continued to play well with a kill, 31 assists, three aces, a solo block, and five digs. Brown scored seven kills on a .316 (7K-1E-19TA) hitting percentage, while scoring her eighth point of the match with a solo block.
Gwynedd Mercy University concluded the 2023 regular season with an 11-15 overall record and a 3-2 conference standing. They return to the Griffin Complex on Tuesday, November 7, when they host #6 Immaculata University for a 7:15 p.m. Atlantic East Conference First Round match.
