Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (10/28/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University (3-19, 1-3) celebrated their first Atlantic East Conference (AEC) win of the season following this evening's 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-16) Side-Out Foundation Dig Pink victory over Saint Elizabeth University (2-12, 0-4). Sophomore setters
Macie Ferla (Mickleton, N.J.) (18 assists) and
Brynn Crooks (Philadelphia, Pa.) (11) had no problem finding senior pin hitter
Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) as the Red and Gold captain matched her season-high of 15.0 points with 15 kills on a season's best .522 (15K-3E-23TA) hitting percentage.
Every year thousands of volleyball athletes from around the country participate in
The Side-Out Foundation's Dig Pink® program. Middle school, high school, college, club, and adult teams will advocate for those living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in their communities while raising funds for the Side-Out Foundation. Donations from Dig Pink events support metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients' participation in Side-Out's Precision Medicine Analysis Program in addition to supporting the foundation's own ongoing breast cancer research.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University kept a steady lead over Saint Elizabeth University in the opening set as an early 5-1 lead gave the Griffins the cushion they needed to find a 25-18 win.
- The Red and Gold found their groove in the second set, hitting .333 (12K-4E-24TA), and spotting a few aces in a dominant 25-12 conclusion.
- The third set, Ferla, junior libero Annalise Kuppel (Estell Manor, N.J.), and Crooks continued service success spurred Gwynedd Mercy University from a 10-7 lead to a 25-16 victory.
- Etter added a pair of digs to her kills.
- Freshman pin hitter Carley Leonard (Upper Chichester, Pa.) supported with eight kills on a season's best .357 (8K-3E-14TA) hitting percentage.
- Ferla added an ace and four digs to her 18 assists, while Crooks complemented her 11 assists with four aces and six digs.
- The Griffins scored nine aces in all. In addition to Crooks, freshman middle blocker Ava Caton (Folsom, Pa.) mark multiple points on the serve with three aces of her own.
Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule on Saturday, October 31, when they visit Centenary University (N.J.) for a 1:00 p.m. match.
Gallery: (10-28-2026) 2026 Side-Out Foundation Dig Pink Game
