GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Neumann University Women's Volleyball team opened the Atlantic East Conference schedule with a 3-1 win over Gwynedd Mercy on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Knights started quickly with a 5-1 run to start the match but Gwynedd Mercy responded by tying the match at five. The rest of the set was back and forth with neither team gained more than a two point run. The Knights grabbed four of the last five points of the set, taking it by a score of 25-20.
 
The second started the same as the first with Neumann taking a 5-1 lead. This time, they never really allowed the Griffins back in it, dominating to extend the lead to 13-5. Two more strong runs of 5-2 and 5-1 closed out the set as the Knights won 25-15 for a two set lead.
 
Gwynedd Mercy battled back in the third when it was even at four, eventually stretching the lead to 13-6. Neumann took four of the next five points, pulling within four at 14-10 but the Griffins ahead pushed the pace to lead 18-10. Although the Knights battled to within six, they fell 25-18, forcing a fourth set.
 
The momentum shift continued into the fourth when Gwynedd Mercy took a 5-2 lead, but Neumann rattled off a 4-1 run to equalize at six. With the score at 14-14, the Knights went on a five point run and later a four point run, to seal the match, taking the final set, 25-19.
 
Bri Gautier led the Knights offensively with 15 kills. Nayeli Cruz added 13, along with seven digs while Julia Solomon had 10 kills and five digs. Dani Smith led the assist category with 45 to go with her team-high 19 digs and two service aces. Taylor Long was strong defensively with three block assists.
 
Neumann(7-12, 1-0 Atlantic East) will be back in action on Wednesday when they host Marymount University. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Mirenda Center.