Aston, Pa. - (11/9/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (12-16) scored their point in the first set of this evening's Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Volleyball Semifinal match at Neumann University (18-10) by a 25-22 measure. The Knights led early, 7-2, but the Griffins tied the match at 12-12 before using a late run to separate from a 22-22 stalemate. Unfortunately, second (25-14) and third (25-13) set scores went in Neumann University's favor and put the Red and Gold behind 2-1 heading to the fourth frame. There, Gwynedd Mercy University led 14-6 and 22-17, prior to the Knight's 9-2 closing run in tonight's 3-1 (22-25, 25-14, 25-13, 26-24) final.

Griffin Highlights

• Despite the first-set win, Gwynedd Mercy University hit their best in the second (.133, 6K-2E-30TA) and fourth (.154, 13-7E-39TA) sets. The Griffins hit .114 (32K-18E-123TA) for the match.
• Senior outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) scored a team-high 12.0 points with a dozen (12) kills. She also recorded nine digs.
• Senior middle hitter Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) added a solo block and two block assists to her seven kills. She hit a team-best .227 (7K-2E-22TA) and made a pair of digs.
• Sophomore setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) totaled 28 assists, an ace, a block assist, and a dozen digs.
• Sophomore libero Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) also made 12 digs, while providing the Griffin offense with a pair of assists.

Gwynedd Mercy University finishes their 2023 season - first under Head Coach Lauren Yancer '21 - with a 12-16 overall record and a 3-2 conference standing.