Baltimore, Md. - (9/21/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (7-4) split their matches at the Goucher College Tri-Match as they battled Hood College to a 3-2 (20-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-19, 15-10) loss and defeated the hosting Gophers by a decisive 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16) final. Three Griffins reached double-digit points in the marathon match with the Mustangs, including fifth-year outside hitter Bria Purnell (Reading, Pa.) who headlined the Griffin half of the box score with 17 kills, three aces, and a block assist. Against Goucher College, Purnell matched her five-set numbers versus Hood College as she paired three more aces with 17 more kills in a team-high 20.0-point effort. Gwynedd Mercy University totaled 17 aces between the two matches and hit .170 (85K-39E-271TA), while splitting 10 blocks.

Griffin Highlights vs. Hood College

• Gwynedd Mercy University hit .179 (46K-20E-145TA) with nine aces and 10 team blocks against Hood College.
• The offensive efficiency earned the Griffins wins in the first (25-20) and third (25-19) sets.
• Purnell recorded three assists and 19 digs in excess of her 20.5 points (17 kills, 3 aces, 1 block assist). She was joined in double-digit points by sophomore outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) (11.5 points; 8 kills, 3 aces, 1 block assist) and junior middle hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) (11.0 points; 9 kills, 4 block assists).
• Junior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) supplied five kills, 37 assists, two aces, two block assists, and 10 digs.

Griffin Highlights vs. Goucher College

• Gwynedd Mercy University hit .159 (39K-19E-126TA) with eight aces, three solo blocks, and four block assists against Goucher College.
• The first set was tied as late as 14-14 before the Griffins paced the Gophers to a 25-22 finish. Similarly, the second set was knotted at 20-20 prior to the Red and Gold's 5-1 finish. The third set, used an early 8-5 lead to precipitate their 25-16 conclusion.
• Purnell added an assist and 17 digs to her 20.0 points (17 kills, 3 aces). She was joined in double-digit points by Etter (13.0 points; 12 kills, 2 block assists), who additionally recorded eight digs.
• Gaston finished with two kills, 31 assists, four aces, and five digs.

Gwynedd Mercy University returns to action on Wednesday, September 25, when they host Cedar Crest College for a 7:00 p.m. match.