Lancaster, Pa. – (11/1/2021) – With the conclusion of the 2021 regular season schedules throughout the league, Commissioner Jessica Huntley has official released the field for the 2021 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament. With late-season wins over Immaculata University (W, 3-0; 25-12, 25-11, 25-23 on October 26) and Centenary University (W, 3-0; 25-14, 26-24, 25-19), Gwynedd Mercy University garnered the #5 seed and will travel to #4 Marywood University for an Opening Round match (7:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, November 2.
At 6-0 in league play, Cabrini University (12-17, 6-0) earned the top seed and a bye through the AEC Opening Round. All AEC Opening Round contests are scheduled for Tuesday, November 2; In addition to #5 Griffins visiting #4 Pacers, #2 Marymount University (13-14, 5-1) will host #7 Centenary University (5-14, 0-6) (TBA) and #3 Neumann University (8-16, 4-2) will host #6 Immaculata University (5-13, 1-5) (7:00 p.m.).
In their initial meeting, on October 13, Gywnedd Mercy University took Marywood University to a fourth set as the Griffins delayed the Pacers to a 27-25 win in the opening set and secured a point of their own in the third set before bowing out; 3-1 (27-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18).
The Griffins rallied late in the first set, grabbing a 25-24 advantage on a kill from senior middle hitter
Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) before the Pacers reciprocated with the last three points of the frame; 27-25. The second set saw the Pacers pull away late for a 25-20 finish. The final was repaid by the Griffins in the third set as the Gwynedd Mercy University defense kept Marywood University off their mark down the stretch. Unfortunately, Gwynedd Mercy University was unable to keep the pressure on in the fourth set as the Pacers lived up to their name in a decisive 25-18 end.
Brown finished with a team-high 15.5 points, recording 11 kills on a .258 (11K-3E-31TA) hitting percentage, while also offering three aces, a solo block, and a block assist. Senior setter
Bridget McTamney (Conshohocken, Pa.) was the director for the Griffin offense with three kills, 29 assists, and a pair of aces to go along with 11 digs. Senior libero
Ashley Morris (Quakertown, Pa.) led the Gwynedd Mercy University defense with a team-high 34 digs. She also offered a kill, three assists, and three aces.
The complete field for the 2021 AEC Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament and schedule of events is provided below;
2021 Atlantic East Conference (AEC)
Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament
Seeding
1. Cabrini University (6-0)
2. Marymount University (5-1)
3. Neumann University (4-2)
4. Marywood University (3-3)
5. Gwynedd Mercy University (2-4)
6. Immaculata University (1-5)
7. Centenary University (0-6)
Saturday, October 30 – Opening Round
#7 Centenary University @ #2 Marymount University (TBA)
#6 Immaculata University @ #3 Neumann University (7:00 p.m.)
#5 Gwynedd Mercy University @ #4 Marywood University (7:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 2 - Semifinals
Lowest Remaining Seed @ #1 Cabrini University (TBA)
Second Lowest Remaining Seed @ Second Highest Remaining Seed (TBA)
Saturday, November 6 - Championship
@ Highest Remaining Seed (TBA)
