Newark, N.J. - (10/19/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (14-8) split today's contests at the Rutgers-Newark

Tri-match as the Griffins recovered from a 3-2 (19-25, 25-22, 25-13, 17-25, 15-8) loss to Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) - Florham with a 3-0 (31-29, 25-22, 25-20) victory over the hosting Scarlet Raiders. Fifth-year outside hitter continued her historical season by surpassing
Hillary Tubbs '06 (1,348.5 points) for the Red and Gold's all-time points mark with her fifth of Gwynedd Mercy University's loss to the Devils; she finished the match with 25.0 points thanks to a season-high 23 kills and a pair of aces. Against the hosts, Purnell went for a team-high 18.5 points with 18 kills and a block assist. Sophomore outside hitter
Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) also recorded double digit points in both matches as she totaled 11.0 (11 kills) versus FDU-Florham and 15.0 (12 kills, 3 aces) against Rutgers-Newark.
Griffin Highlights vs. FDU-Florham
- Gwynedd Mercy University hit .162 (46K-22E-148TA) versus FDU-Florham. They recorded seven aces and made three team blocks.
- Purnell and Etter's success at the net was aided by 44 assists from junior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.). She also recorded two kills, two aces, and nine digs.
- Etter complimented her kills with 17 digs, but junior middle hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Griffins with 22.
Griffin Highlights vs. Rutgers-Newark
- Gwynedd Mercy University had one of their better hitting performances of the season against Rutgers-Newark as they capped a .241 (45K-18E-112TA) performance with a .393 (17K-6E-28TA) success rate in the third set.
- The Griffins also matched their season-high in aces with 13. It was the fourth time they have reached that total this season and the sixth time they have scored double-digit aces.
- Gaston and freshman libero Annalise Kuppel (Estell Manor, N.J.) headline the Griffins success on the serve with four aces apiece. The former also recorded three kills, 38 assists, and four digs, while the latter additionally made eight digs.
- Purnell added two assists and six digs to her points, while Etter matched hers with a team-high 11 digs.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to their AEC schedule on Wednesday, October 23, when they visit Marymount University for a 6:00 p.m. match.