ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Women's Volleyball team defeated Gwynedd Mercy University in the Atlantic East Conference semifinals by a score of 3-1. The Knights dropped the first set, 25-22, before winning the next three, 25-14, 25-13, and 26-24.
The teams started by trading the first two points before Neumann put on a 6-1 run, keyed by an ace by
Anna Mansel. Gwynedd Mercy fought back to pull even at 12 apiece. The set stayed close until, with Neumann leading 17-16, the Griffins went on a four-point run to grab the lead at 20-17. The Knights went off for five of the next six points to regain the lead at 22-21. Gwynedd closed out the set by scoring the last four points for a 1-0 set lead.
The second set got off to a nice start for Neumann as they started off with a 4-0 run, capped off by a kill by
Regan Hickey. After Gwynedd Mercy scored twice, the Knights grabbed seven of the next nine, closed by a
Naye Cruz kill, to take an 11-5 lead. Neumann's next run came with the score at 11-8 as they scored the next five to double up the Griffins, 16-8, forcing a time out. The break didn't slow down the Knights' attack as they took the set 25-14, evening the match.
Neumann fell behind to start the third set but, with the score at 4-2, they went on an 11-1 run to forge ahead by nine at 14-5. Leading 17-10, they went on another run, this time of four points, finished by a
Dani Smith service ace. The Knights grabbed four of the last six points to win the set, 25-13. It was a
Tori Burgess ace that clinched the 2-1 set lead.
With the Griffins on the brink, they raced to a 7-2 lead to start the fourth quarter, forcing a Neumann timeout. The Knights were kept at arm's length until a 5-1 run allowed them to pull within one at 18-17. Gwynedd Mercy then rattled off four straight to extend their advantage again. Neumann took a 23-22 lead, thanks to a six-point stretch, although the Griffins equalized quickly. They traded points before the Knights punched their ticket to the final.
Hickey led the Knights offensive attack with 24 kills,
Lauren Garvey followed with 15, and Cruz had 12. Smith was strong on both offense and defense leading with 44 assists and three blocks.
Claudia Bournazel contributed 18 digs and eight assists.
Neumann(18-10) will now advance to the Atlantic East Conference Championship on Saturday at Marymount University in Arlington, Va. against the Saints.
