Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (9/15/2022) - Gwynedd Mercy University was determined to overcome Penn State York by a 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9) final in tonight's match as the Griffins feed off the Gwynedd faithful to come back from a 16-11 deficit in the first set (25-23) and recover from a 2-1 deficit with concluding wins of 25-23 and 15-9. Junior middle hitter Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) led the Griffins with 18 points on 17 kills and a pair of block assists, while freshman setter Amanda Lopez (Houston, Texas) was critical to their success with three kills, 25 assists, four aces, a block assist, and 17 digs.

The opening frame set the tone for the evening as Gwynedd Mercy University (3-4) narrowly trailed Penn State York (4-3) before recovering from the 16-11 discrepancy on the service of sophomore defensive specialist Maddie Stancil (Lincoln University, Pa.). Tied at 22-22 late in the set, a pair of bad sets from the Nittany Lions and a kill from junior outside hitter Julia Rabe (Virginia Beach, Va.) ended it in the Griffins favor. Unfortunately, Gwynedd Mercy University found themselves looking to rally at the start of the fourth set as Penn State York wins of 25-22 and 25-23 placed the Griffins behind a 2-1 deficit. They paced the Nittany Lions in the fourth set and used the roar of the Griffin Complex crowd to encourage them for a 25-23 win and a succeeding 15-9 finale.

Rabe joined Brown in double figure kills as she paired 10 successful attacks with five digs. Sophomore middle blocker Lexi Lane (Frederick, Colo.) as the third Griffins in double digit points (11.0) as she offered some clutch net play with nine kills, a solo block, and a pair of block assists. Senior libero Ashley Morris (Quakertown, Pa.) led five Griffins in double digit digs with 19; she also recorded a kill, two assists, and an ace. Lopez, fellow freshman setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) (14 digs), and freshman right side Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) (14) were the other three in double digit digs. Gaston additionally offered three kills, 19 assists, and three block assists, while Pugh also recorded seven kills and an assist.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their schedule on Saturday, September 17, when they visit Notre Dame of Maryland University for matches versus Washington College (1:00 p.m.) and the hosting Gators.