PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle Explorer volleyball team opened the 2006 home season on Friday afternoon hosting the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks at the La Salle Invitational at Tom Gola Arena.  After falling in the first game, 30-22, the Explorers rallied and took the next three games 30-25, 30-24, 30-23 to earn a 3-1 victory.  The Explorers now stand at 2-2 for the season, while the Seahawks drop to 2-3.

Junior Stephanie Owen led the Explorers with 20 kills and 11 digs, recording a double-double for the match.  Sophomore Christa Dominick, coming off being named to the All-Tournament team at the Colgate Classic a week ago, landed 13 kills and matched a team-high .417 hitting percentage (13-3-24).  Fellow sophomore Amy McKeon also recorded a .417 hitting percentage with seven kills and two errors in 12 attempts.  Setter Caitlin Conner assisted on 46 of La Salle's 65 kills and earned two kills.

Erin Sullivan led all players at the service line, landing five service aces.  Sullivan also contributed nine kills on offense and 10 digs on defense.

Dominick led the Explorers at the net with two solo blocks and three assisted blocks.  Also on defense, libero Carolyn Judge tallied a match-high 31 digs.

The Seahawks placed just one player in double-digit kills, with Paula McConnell earning 15 kills while hitting .448 (15-2-29) for the match.  Setter Jill Hoeck earned 39 assists in the four games.

On defense, libero Dorinda Petrisko earned 17 digs, while Ashlyn Morris and Brittany Sandy eached contributed 11 in the loss.

The Explorers will continue in action at the La Salle Invitational at 4:30 p.m., when they take on the Rider Broncs. The Invitational continues at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.