Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/21/2023) – Leadership and unity will be key themes for the Gwynedd Mercy University women's volleyball team as they embark on the 2023 season under first-year Head Coach Lauren Yancer '21. With only 11 student-athletes on the roster, the Griffins will look to their captains – senior middle hitter Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) and junior defensive specialist Maddie Stancil (Lincoln University, Pa.) – to establish a team culture that will endure for years to come.
 
One of our goals for this season is to keep a positive attitude and have a high-energy atmosphere during practices and games," said Coach Yancer. "We also plan to work on having a strong start during games, maintaining the momentum throughout, and finishing as strong as we started. I think our offense is stronger than ever. We're versatile, each player to adapt and each has their strengths. We work together for every point because every point counts towards a win."
 
In 2022, Gwynedd Mercy University concluded their season – for the third time in four years - with an Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Quarterfinal loss at Marywood University. The fifth-seeded Griffins took the #4 Pacers to five sets (L, 2-3; 25-21, 21-25, 15-25, 25-20, 11-15) with double-digit kill performances from Brown (13 kills) and senior outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) (19). The duo finished the season on the All-AEC Second Team, while Gwynedd Mercy University retired with an 8-18 overall mark and a 2-4 league standing.
 
Brown (284 points) and Purnell (333.5) will once again be the focal point of Gwynedd Mercy University's offense in 2023; the duo combined for just over 50% (.504) of the Griffins' 2022 point-total with 617.5 between them. Brown highlighted a second straight All-AEC season with 245 kills on a .270 (245K-63E-673TA) hitting percentage, 15 assists, nine aces, 71 digs, and 46.0 (14 solo, 32 assisted) blocks. Similarly, Purnell enjoyed her second straight All-AEC season with a team-high 307 kills on a .162 (307K-172E-834TA) hitting percentage, 13 assists, 16 aces, 193 digs, and 20 (1 solo, 19 assisted) blocks.

Both made an appearance on the AEC Women's Volleyball Weekly Honor Roll; the former earned her mention with 42.5 points (37 kills, 1 ace, 8 blocks, 1 solo block, 7 block assists), an assist, and 10 digs in a 1-3 week versus Penn State Berks (L, 1-3; 26-24, 15-25, 21-25, 24-26 on Sept. 13), Penn State York (W, 3-2; 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9 on Sept. 15), Washington College (L, 1-3; 27-25, 22-25, 21-25, 11-25 on Sept. 17), and Notre Dame of Maryland University (L, 0-3; 14-25, 23-25, 25-27 on Sept. 17), while the latter scored her mention with 38.5 points (32 kills, 5 aces, block solo, block assist), 30 digs, and a pair of assists in a 2-0 week versus Rutgers University – Newark (W, 3-1; 25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20 on Oct. 6) and league rival Immaculata University (W, 3-1; 26-24, 23-25, 29-27, 25-13 on Oct. 7).
 
Joining Brown and Purnell in the frontcourt is sophomore Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.), junior Lexi Lane (Frederick, Colo), senior Julia Rabe (Virginia Beach, Va.), and freshman Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.). Pugh provides plenty of positive energy and morale while utilizing her versatility as an outside hitter, middle hitter, or right side. She finished 2022 second on the team in digs (198) last season and totaled 75.5 points with 57 kills, 13 aces, and 11 block assists. Lane was a feared defensive presence at the net as she finished second on the team in solo blocks (9) and tied first in block assists (32) for career-high 41 blocks last year. The Griffins' middle blocker was also fourth on the team in kills (67). Rabe was also valuable as an outside hitter or right side, as she finished third on the team in kills (154) and points (164.5). Hailing from Chambersburg Area High School, Etter is a triple threat with excellent offensive, defensive, and serving skills that earned her a pair of Mid-Penn All-Conference Team selections (2021, 2022).
 
The backline personnel consist of Stancil and freshmen Danika Lewis (Coopersburg, Pa.) and freshman Ellie Salamone (Birdsboro, Pa.). The group will have their work cut out for them with the graduation of Ashley Morris '23; Morris finished her Gwynedd Mercy University career fourth all-time in digs (1,158) and third all-time in digs per set (3.85). With two years of experience, Stancil will be counted on to fill those shoes. Lewis and Salamone will be available to help out; the former Southern Lehigh graduate recorded a career-high 66 digs her senior season, while the latter Pope John Paull II graduate is no stranger to success as she helped the Golden Panthers to a 26-3 record and a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) 3A Championship in 2022.
 
The setter position is set up nicely for Gwynedd Mercy University with sophomores, Amanda Lopez (Houston, Texas) and Ayanna Gaston (Middletown Del.) returning after superb freshmen seasons. Lopez demonstrated an ability to pass and score with a team-high 398 assists, 39 kills, 38 aces, and 16 (2 solo, 14 assisted) blocks, while Gaston was equally dangerous with 362 assists, 49 kills, 34 aces, and 23 (3 solo, 20 assisted) blocks.
 
"We are hardworking, dedicated, and motivated," Yancer accessed. "I think this season brings a fresh start to the program and I expect big things from the team this year. We have a strong group who work well together on and off the court. They're supportive of one another, they're positive, and they're ready to accomplish big things."
 
The Gwynedd Mercy University women's volleyball season begins on Friday, September 1, when the Griffins travel to Cedar Crest College for a 7:00 p.m. season-opener.