Allentown, Pa. - (9/1/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (0-1) found themselves in a 2-0 hole after dropping the first two sets of today's season opener by scores of 25-19 and 25-17. The Griffins denied Cedar Crest College (1-0) the quick victory with a 25-19 win in the third set, but they eventually fell to the Falcons by a 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 25-16) following a 25-16 fourth-set finish. Seniors, middle hitter Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) (7 kills, 1 ace, 4 block assists) and outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) (8 kills, 1 ace, 2 block assists) led Gwynedd Mercy University with 10 points apiece.

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University kept the first set close until a late Cedar Drest College run extended a 19-18 spread to a 25-19 final.
• In the second set, the Falcons separated for an early 9-2 lead and maintained their distance in a 25-17 conclusion. The Griffins responded with a 25-19 win thanks to a productive turn at serve from junior Maddie Stancil (Lincoln University, Pa.) and a series of late Falcon miscues.
• The Griffins offered their best hitting percentage in the fourth set with a .250 (9K-3E-24TA) success rate in the frame.
• Purnell added a pair of assists and a dozen digs to her 10 points, while Brown offered four blocks in access of hers.
• Freshman outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) matched Purnell's for a team-high eight kills and additionally tallied an assist, a block assist, and a team-high 16 digs.
• Stancil finished with two assists, three aces, and 11 digs.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their tie at Cedar Crest College tomorrow, Saturday, September 2, with a 1:00 p.m. match versus Rutgers-Newark.