Bethlehem, Pa. - (9/14/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (4-4) traveled to Moravian University (5-5) taking part in their first tri-match of the season. In game one, the Griffins took on the Greyhounds where a back-and-forth affair would eventually lead to a Moravian victory over the red and gold after a five-set series. In game two, Gwynedd Mercy took on Maritime College (1-5) as the Griffins quickly took care of the Privateers 3-0. In the two games combined fifth year outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) finished with a team-high 31 kills including a season-high 22 kills against Moravian.
Griffins Highlights vs Moravian University:
- In set one, the Griffins got out to an early 6-0 lead against the Greyhounds, but a back-and-forth grudge allowed Moravian to cut the lead to 24-20 in favor of the red and gold. Junior defensive specialist Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) would end the hopes for a comeback as she would tally the final kill in set one with a final score of 25-20.
- Gwynedd Mercy's best-hitting percentage came in the first set with a .533 percentage, however, in the next four sets the errors started to come forward. In the next four sets the Griffins would hit a .182, -.054, .097, and .158.
- Junior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) finished with season-highs in assists (41), points (8), aces (5), and blocks (3).
Griffins Highlights vs Maritime College:
- After a heartbreaking loss to Moravian, Gwynedd Mercy came out with an edge on their shoulders as the team would go up 14-9 early against the Privateers in the first set. Both Purnell and sophomore outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) put the finishing touches in set one giving the Griffins an early 1-0 advantage.
- The next two sets would see resilience from Maritime College; however, the Griffins would prevail and complete the 3-0 sweep.
- Purnell finished with nine kills while Etter had eight.
- Gwynedd Mercy finished with nine aces including three from Etter and two from Gaston while the Privateers only had five.
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to action on Thursday, September 19 for a 7:00 p.m. showdown at Alvernia University.