Brooklyn, N.Y. – (11/10/2025) – Gwynedd Mercy University (5-21) returned victoriously from Pratt Institute (9-13) for the second time in four days, as the fifth-seeded Griffins defeated the fourth-seeded Cannoneers in the First Round of the 2026 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament. The Red and Gold were on their game as they as they scored a season-high 16 aces and matched a season-high 7.0 team blocks (1 solo block, 12 block assists) on their way to a 3-1 (25-19, 12-25, 25-19, 25-22) victory. Senior pin hitter
Kate Etter (Chambersburg, Pa.) and junior middle hitter
Emma Hastings (Collingswood, N.J.) recorded 11.5 points (9 kills, 1 ace, 3 block assists) and 9.5 points (7 kills, 5 block assists) respectively, while sophomore setters
Brynn Crooks (Philadelphia, Pa.) (14 assists) and
Macie Ferla (Mickleton, N.J.) (9) combined for 23 assists to fuel the Griffin attack.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University used a late 6-1 run to win the opening set by a 25-19 measure.
- The Griffins regained the advantage with a 25-19 win in the third set; this time a mid-set Red and Gold rush influenced the success.
- In the fourth set, Gwynedd Mercy University showed their determination as they fended off the Cannoneers several times over the ebb and flow of a 25-22 conclusion.
- Etter paired her nine kills with an ace, three block assists, and a team-high 18 digs.
- Hastings added a dig to her seven kills and five block assists.
- Crooks complemented her assists with a kill, three aces, a block assist, and five digs.
- Meanwhile, Ferla's came with three aces and seven digs.
- Sophomore libero P.J. Mendoza (Kennett Square, Pa.) contributed two assists, three aces, and 13 digs.
The victory earns #5 Gwynedd Mercy University a trip to #1 Marymount University on Thursday, November 12, for a 7:00 p.m. AEC Semifinal.
