Reading, Pa. - (10/2/2025) – Gwynedd Mercy University (3-7) battled through a back-and-forth contest to earn a gritty five-set road victory over Albright College (4-9), 3–2 (25-23, 16-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-9), on Thursday night inside the Bollman Center.
The Griffins came out strong, edging the Lions in the opening frame 25-23, before Albright responded to take the next two sets. Gwynedd Mercy refused to fold, rallying in a pressure-packed fourth set with a 25-23 win, then carrying that momentum into the decisive fifth, where they dominated 15-9 to seal the match.
Junior outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) powered the offense with a match-high 18 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double performance. Senior middle hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) chipped in 14 kills and 16 digs, while sophomore pin hitter Annalise Kuppel (Estell Manor, N.J.) was a steady force at the net with 12 kills and 14 digs. Senior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) directed the attack with 42 assists to go along with 7 digs and 2 service aces.
Serving proved to be a difference-maker, as Gwynedd Mercy tallied 10 aces, including clutch runs from sophomore defensive specialist Marley Robbins (Medford, N.J.), who landed 5 without an error. The Griffins' defense held firm with 70 digs overall, highlighted by strong back-row efforts from Pugh and Etter.
In the fifth set, Gwynedd Mercy quickly turned a narrow 7-6 edge into a commanding lead behind a decisive serving stretch from Robbins, who delivered back-to-back aces to put the Lions on their heels. Etter closed the night with a kill to cap off the 15-9 finish.
Griffin Highlights:
Gwynedd Mercy University returns to action Thursday, October 9, as the team welcomes Rutgers-Camden to the Griffin Complex to take part in the Dig Pink game with a 6:00 p.m. start time.
