PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle Explorer volleyball team did not the rain outside dampen their spirits, as the team downed the visiting St. Peter's Peahens 3-1 by scores of 30-19, 30-20, 22-30, 30-23 on Thursday night at Tom Gola Arena.  The Explorers climbed to 8-14 for the season, while St. Peter's falls to 8-10.

It was an all Explorer game one, as La Salle jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never let it go.  The Explorers increased their lead to 10 points at 21-11 when Stephanie Owen landed one of her 13 kills in the match.  Although the Peahens cut the lead to eight, that was the best they could do as La Salle ran the scoreboard and Amy McKeon knocked down the last kill to give La Salle a 30-19 win.

In game two, the Peahens woke up and tried to make a game of it.  The teams were tied several times, with the last tie coming at 12-12.  La Salle started to make a move and took a three point lead when Christa Dominick landed a kill.  La Salle extended the lead to four points at 18-14, but St. Peter's got to within one several times.  TWith the score at 22-10, La Salle again made a move and went on an unanswered eight point run to take game two 30-20.

The Explorers struggled in game three and fell behind by three points at 14-11.  The Explorers made it a one-point contest at 16-15, but the Peahens pulled away and cause the Explorers to take a timeout down 20-15.  La Salle couldn't get back on track and dropped game three 22-30.

La Salle got their offensive game going in game four, landing a match-high 25 kills in the final game.  The game was tied at 11-11, but the Explorers would not let up and took the game 30-23.

Freshman Jackie Kushman led the Explorers with 15 kills and posted a .467 hitting percentage, committing just one error on 30 attempts.  Seniors Abby Means and Kara Branz each contributed 11 kills and both players put up impressive hitting percentages, with Means recording a .550 (11-0-20) and Branz .409 (11-2-22). 

Sophomore Stephanie Owen recorded her eight double-double and second in as many matches with 13 kills and 13 digs.  Setter Caitlin Conner added 63 assists to her season totals.

Atlantic 10 dig leader, Carolyn Judge led all players with 20 digs.  Kushman also contributed on defense with 11 digs. 

St. Peter's senior Gulhan Cakcak led all players with 24 kills and junior Sasha Pshenychka tallied 13 kills.

On defense for the Peahens, Katherine Sura and Leanne Maloney each finished the match with 15 digs.

The Explorers will rest this weekend before hitting the road to take on the Morgan State Bears on Tuesday, October 18th at 7:00 p.m.