Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (11/6/2024) - This evening's Atlantic East Conference (AEC) match was roller coaster affair as Gwynedd Mercy University (16-10, 3-3) won the first (25-15) and third (25-23) sets only to be upended by Marywood University (8-19, 4-2) in a 3-2 (25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 19-25, 12-15) final. Prior to the match, the Griffins honored senior middle blocker Lexi Lane (Frederick, Colo.) and fifth-year outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) for their contributions to the women's volleyball program and wished them well in their future endeavors. Lane totaled a season high 11.5 points (6 kills, 3 aces, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist) in the match, while Purnell finished with 14.5 points (11 kills, 3 aces, 1 block assist). Junior outside hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Red and Gold with a career high 16 kills and 18 digs.

Griffin Highlights

• Gwynedd Mercy University hit .300 (12K-3E-30TA) in the first set and .206 (13K-6E-34TA) in the third set. But they were the only positive frames the Griffins could muster in a .075 (47K-35E-159TA) performance.
• The Griffins scored the first six points of the match and stayed just out of the Pacers' reach until freshman libero Annalise Kuppel (Estell Manor, N.J.) propelled them to a 25-15 victory with a late four-point serve.
• The third-set win was more dramatic with the Griffins taking control of the match with their 25-23 win. This time it was Lane, Purnell, and Pugh with the charge that brought the Red and Gold back from a 21-18 deficit.
• Pugh added three aces to her kills for a career high 19.0 total points. She also recorded two assists.
• Purnell paired her points with an assist and eight digs, while Lane complimented hers with three digs.
• Junior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) finished the match with two kills, 40 assists, three aces, a block assist, and seven digs.

Gwynedd Mercy University finishes the regular season at 16-10 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The current win total is the most since the 2006 campaign, when the Griffins reached the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Semifinals with a 18-8 overall record and a 9-2 league standing. Currently, the Red and Gold awaits seeding in the 2024 AEC Championship Tournament.