Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (9/21/2023) - With the Griffin Complex crowd in their corner, Gwynedd Mercy University (3-6) did the best they could to give Moravian University (3-6) fits in a 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-20) final. The Griffins stayed on the Greyhounds heels through a 25-19 first set and used their momentum to lead most of way in an eventual 26-24 second set. In the end, Moravian University secured their win with late third-set rally; 25-20. Gwynedd Mercy University battled behind a great defensive effort that included matching double-digit digs from sophomore right side
Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) (16) and senior libero
Maddie Stancil (Lincoln University, Pa.) (16) and stringent net play from junior middle blocker
Lexi Lane (Frederick, Colo.) (2.5 blocks) and senior middle hitter
Ashley Brown (Lansdale, Pa.) (.313 HT%; 6K-1E-16TA, 1.5 blocks).
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University led the first set early, 5-3, but quickly lost ground in a 10-0 Moravian University run, 13-5, that distanced the Greyhounds enough to survive the Griffins' advance in a 25-19 end.
- The Griffins used their momentum and feed off the crowd's energy at the start of the second frame. There, Gwynedd Mercy University muscled their way to 14-10 advantage before Moravian University overcame in a 26-24 conclusion.
- Sophomore setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) served Gwynedd Mercy University to the first five points of the third set, 5-0, but the Greyhounds pulled even by 10-10 before using a late five-point run to direct them toward an eventual 25-20 finish.
- The Griffins hit their best in the third set as a .240 (8K-2E-25TA) percentage helped them to a .018 (24K-2E2-110TA) success rate for the match.
- Gaston and freshman defensive specialist Danika Lewis (Coopersburg, Pa.) scored Gwynedd Mercy University's only two aces. The former added 20 assists and eight digs to her unanswered serve.
- Senior outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) scored a team-high 8.5 points with eight kills and a block assist. She also made five digs.
- Lane added three kills and a dig to her 2.5 blocks. Brown finished with 7.5 points with six kills and 1.5 blocks. Pugh and Stancil split 32 of the Griffins' 60 digs.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to the Griffin Complex on Wednesday, September 27, when they host Penn State Berks for a 7:00 p.m. opening serve.
