Reading, Pa. - (9/19/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (6-3) used milestone performances from fifth-year outside hitter
Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) and junior setter
Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) to power tonight's 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-13) victory at Alvernia University (8-4). The Griffins opened the match with their best hitting of the night - .171 (11K-5E-35TA) - and controlled the third set before edging the Golden Wolves in a 15-13 deciding set. Purnell matched her season-high in kills with 22 on a .210 (22K-9E-62TA) hitting percentage; the total pushed her over the 1,000-kill plateau. Gaston matched her season-high in assists with 41 while scoring her 100th career ace with some opening-set marksmanship.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University gradually grew a 17-10 lead before securing the opening set by a 25-19 measure. The 25-15 third-set win saw freshman libero Annalise Kuppel (Estell Manor, N.J.) serve the Griffins to a commanding 18-12 perch. In the fifth set, the Red and Gold defense was enough to keep Alvernia University off balance in a 15-13 conclusion.
- The Griffins scored a season-high 53 kills with a .151 (53-26E-179TA) hitting percentage.
- Purnell paired her kills with an assist and 13 digs.
- Gaston added three kills, 3.0 blocks (1 solo, 2 assisted), and 15 digs to her previously mentioned numbers.
- Sophomore outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) contributed 11.0 points (10 kills, 1 ace), and 24 digs.
- Six Griffins reached double-digit digs; junior middle hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) matched Etter for the team-lead.
Gwynedd Mercy University looks to carry their early-season momentum into this weekend's competition at the Goucher College Tri-Match. On Saturday, September 21, the Griffins are scheduled to play Hood College at 12:00 p.m. and the hosting Gophers at 2:00 p.m.
