Purnell and Gaston Remain on AEC Weekly Report with Honor Roll Recognition
Lancaster, Pa. – (10/21/2024) – Gwynedd Mercy University fifth-year outside hitter
Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) and junior setter
Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) continued to represent the Griffins on the
Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Volleyball Weekly Report as the duo both garnered Weekly Honor Roll recognition. While totaling 81.5 points (74 kills, seven aces, and a block assist) in a 3-1 week versus Centenary University (NJ) (W, 3-0; 25-10, 25-15, 25-14 on Oct. 16), Delaware Valley University (W, 3-1; 21-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21 on Oct. 17), FDU-Florham (L, 2-3; 25-19, 22-25, 13-25, 25-17, 8-15 on Oct. 19), and Rutgers-Newark (W, 3-0; 31-29, 25-22, 25-20 on Oct. 19), Purnell achieved yet another milestone as she surpassed
Hillary Tubbs '06 (1,348.5 points) for the Red and Gold's all-time points mark with her fifth of Gwynedd Mercy University's loss to the Devils. Gaston enjoyed an equally impressive week with 20.0 points (7 kills, 11 aces, and 4 block assists), 159 assists, and 31 digs.
Marymount University sophomore outside hitter Harper Wolf (Austin, Texas) and senior libero Eliza Freeman (Woodbridge, Va.) were respectively recognized as the AEC Women’s Volleyball Player and Specialty Player of the Week. Meanwhile, Purnell and Gaston were joined on the AEC Women’s Volleyball Weekly Honor Roll by Marywood University graduate middle hitter Casey Hagerstrom (Bethpage, N.Y.), Neumann University freshman pin hitter Melissa Eddy (Dover, Del.) and senior setter Dani Smith (Morinville, Alberta), as well as Immaculata University sophomore setter Christina Lenzo (Millstone, N.J.) and junior middle hitter Mia Esposito (Havertown, Pa.).
Purnell finished her historical match versus FDU-Florham with 25.0 points thanks to a season-high 23 kills and a pair of aces. Earlier in the week, she went for 15.0 points with a .355 (13K-2E-31TA) hitting percentage against the Cyclones and 23.0 points with a .204 (20K-9E-54TA) hitting percentage against the Aggies. Later in the week, she also totaled 18.5 points with a .268 (18K-7E-41TA) hitting percentage against the Scarlet Raiders.
Continuing a brilliant junior year at setter, Gaston recorded 2.5 points (2 aces, block assist), 30 assists, and seven digs in the win over the Cyclones, 5.5 points (2 kills, 3 aces, block assist), 47 assists, and 11 digs in the win over the Aggies, 4.5 points (2 kills, 2 aces, block assist), 44 assists, and nine digs in the loss to the Devils, and 7.5 points (3 kills, 4 aces, block assist), 38 assists, and four digs in the win over the Scarlet Raiders.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to their AEC schedule on Wednesday, October 23, when they visit Marymount University for a 6:00 p.m. match.
