Gaston and Etter Appear on AEC Women’s Volleyball Weekly Honor Roll
Lancaster, Pa. – (11/4/2024) – Gwynedd Mercy University junior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) and sophomore outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) led the Griffins to back-to-back league shutouts of Pratt University (W, 3-0; 25-9, 25-22, 25-15 on Oct. 30) and Immaculata University (W, 3-0; 5-14, 25-14, 29-27 on Nov. 2) to earn recognition on the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Volleyball Weekly Roll. Gaston totaled five points (1 kill, 4 aces), 55 assists, and 11 digs between the two sweeps, while Etter supplied 28.0 points (22 kills, 4 aces, 2 solo blocks), two assists, and 20 digs.
Marymount University senior middle hitter Maya Harris (Charleston, W.Va.) was honored as the AEC Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week, while Neumann University senior setter Dani Smith (Morinville, Alberta) garnered the AEC Women’s Volleyball Specialty Player of the Week. Gaston and Etter were joined on the AEC Weekly Honor Roll by Pratt Institute senior right side Natalie Dziadzio (Dearborn, Mich.), Marymount University senior setter Natalie Bialecki (Toledo, Ohio), Immaculata University senior setter Dinah Stabinski (Garnet Valley, Pa.), Neumann University first year pin hitter Melissa Eddy (Dover, Del.), as well as Marywood University graduate middle hitter Casey Hagerstrom (Bethpage, N.Y.) and sophomore defensive specialist Peyton Fischer (Landisville, Pa.).
Gwynedd Mercy University (16-9, 3-2) scored their second AEC victory of the season with this Wednesday evening's triumph over league newcomer Pratt Institute (6-14, 1-3). Gaston served the Griffins to a 6-0 head start in a dominant 25-9 first-set win. In the second set, the Red and Gold sported a 24-15 lead before eventually ending a seven-point rally by the Cannoneers; 25-22. Gwynedd Mercy University sought the sweep from the start of the third set, pursued it with a 7-3 start, and a captured it with a 25-15 conclusion. Gaston was one of two Griffins with four aces in a season's best 14-ace performance for the Red and Gold.
The Griffins made it two league wins in a row with Saturday’s win at Immaculata University (3-14, 1-5). Etter was impressive with a match-high 17 kills on a .333 (17K-4E-39TA) hitting percentage; she also recorded an assist, 13 digs, and a block bring her point-total to 18.0. Gaston continued to help her teammates to find success with 31 assists. She also scored a kill and made five digs.
Gwynedd Mercy University wraps up their 2024 season on Wednesday, November 6, when they host Marywood University for a 6:00 p.m. Senior Night match.
