Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (6/12/2025) – Gwynedd Mercy University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Meghan Sacks is overjoyed to welcome recent graduate Cheyenne Avellino '25 to her coaching staff as the program's first recruiting assistant. "I am thrilled to have Cheyenne working with our recruits. As an alumna, she is able to give insight into what makes Gwynedd Mercy University so special and her high lacrosse IQ is sure to help us find student-athletes that will continue to strengthen our program." A two-sport student-athlete during her time as an undergrad, Avellino's passion for competition and camaraderie were evident as she served two seasons as team captain for both the Griffins' field hockey (2023, 2024) and women's lacrosse (2024, 2025) programs. As the women's lacrosse recruiting assistant, her duties include scouting, evaluating, and serving as the program's primary point of contact for all prospective student-athletes.
 
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to my alma mater and work alongside Coach Sacks. It's a special feeling to come back to the program that helped shape me. I look forward to helping prospective student-athletes find their place here, just as I did." Avellino was a great two-way player and a staple of the Gwynedd Mercy University midfield during her time in the Red and Gold. Always a contributor, her production blossomed in her final two seasons; after a 33-point (28 goals, 5 assists) junior campaign (2024), Avellino finished her swan song with a career-high 40 goals and seven assists for a career-high 47 points. She garnered All-AEC Second Team recognition with Top-10 statistics in shots (9^th, 92), goals (10^th, 40), draw controls (9^th, 62), and caused turnovers (8^th, 28). During the course of the season, Avellino reached the century mark in points (102), draw controls (152), ground balls (127), and caused turnovers (100); a feat that established her as one of two Griffins to record at least 100 points (vs. Marywood on Apr. 16), 100 draw controls (@ Wilkes University on Feb. 26), 100 ground balls (vs. Bryn Athyn on Mar. 12), and 100 caused turnovers (@ Marymount University on Apr. 23) in her collegiate career.
 
As member of the Gwynedd Mercy University field hockey team, Avellino started 67 of her 71 contests. She totaled 35 points (14 goals, 7 assists) and recorded 74 shots. She was an All-AEC Second Team selection as a sophomore (2022), when she finished the season as the team leader in goals (9). Avellino also recorded four assists to finish second on the team with 22 points.
 
Academically, Avellino was a member of the 2024 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Academic Honor Squad. She was a three-time member of the AEC All-Academic Team (2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025) and a six-time member of the Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Academic Elite (F22, S23, F23, S24, F24, S25).
 
With her bachelor's degree in elementary (PreK-4) and special education (K-12), Avellino accepted a teaching position in the Daniel Boone Area School District. There, she will also function as the Blazers assistant varsity field hockey coach.