Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (9/3/2025) - Gwynedd Mercy University (2-1) welcomed York College of Pennsylvania (2-1) to the Griffins Complex for tonight's women's volleyball home opener. In a highly competitive affair, the Spartans grabbed the upper hand with back-to-back set wins; 25-20, 25-23. The Red and Gold looked to turn the tide with a 25-22 win in the third set. Unfortunately, a marathon fourth set ended in the visitors' favor; 29-27. Despite the 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 29-27) loss, the Griffins scored 13 aces; freshman outside hitter P.J. Mendoza (Kennett Square, Pa.) led the way with four. Sophomore middle hitter Emma Hastings (Collingswood, N.J.) (10.5 points; 8 kills, 2 aces, 1 block assist) and junior outside hitter Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) (10.0; 10 kills) both scored double-digit points, while senior setter Ayanna Gaston (Middletown, Del.) finished the contest with two kills, 27 assists, three aces, and six digs.

Griffin Highlights

• Prior to the start of the match, Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics recognized Gaston for reaching 2,000 career assists during the Griffins'  3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 16-25) AEC First Round victory over #5 Pratt Institute (Nov. 12, 2024).
• Gwynedd Mercy University held an early 7-4 lead in the first set, but York College (PA) knotted the set at 10-10 before pulling away late in a 25-20 final.
• The second set also knotted a 10-10, but this time the Spartans found a 17-14 edge before the Griffins stole a 20-18 advantage in an eventual 25-23 York College (PA) win.
• The Red and Gold's momentum carried into the third set, where Gwynedd Mercy University used an 8-0 run to propel themselves from a 10-6 deficit to a 14-10 advantage. After a tie at 16-16, the Griffins stayed a step ahead of the Spartans in a 25-22 conclusion.
• In the marathon fourth set, Gwynedd Mercy University looked down and out; 18-14, before clawing back for a 22-22 tie. The Griffins won the race to 25 points, 25-24, but following a visitors' timeout the Spartans scored five of the last seven points for a 29-27 finish.
• Gwynedd Mercy University hit their best in the third set; .139 (11K-6E-36TA).
• Mendoza paired her four aces with three kills, an assist, and a team-high 13 digs.
• Senior middle hitter Charlotte Pugh (Philadelphia, Pa.) contributed nine kills, a block assist, and 11 digs to the Griffin effort.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their schedule tomorrow, Thursday, September 4, with a 6:00 p.m. match versus Penn State Abington.