Sept. 4, 2009 

Box Score  

PHILADELPHIA – After picking up the first victory of the season on Tuesday, the La Salle Volleyball team traveled to the Palestra on Friday for the start of the Big 5 Tournament. The Explorers looked to make it two in a row with a win over Villanova, but the Wildcats struck early and ended with the victory, 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 13-25, 16-25).

After dropping the first set, 25-18, La Salle scored nine of the first 12 points in the second set. Consecutive points from freshman Samantha Tulskie gave the Explorers a four-point lead down the stretch, 24-20. The winning point was awarded to La Salle when sophomore Stephanie Milovic recorded the final kill of the set, 25-22.

Senior Rachel Stemper picked up her fourth double-double this season with a team-high 15 kills, 10 digs, three assists, three assisted blocks and a service ace. Tulskie led everyone in the match with 24 digs.

Freshman Breanna Mazalewski chipped in with five kills and 11 digs and junior Carly Conlon and freshman Kourtney Clark totaled 31 assists and 12 digs.

For Villanova, senior Chelsea Graman led all participants with 47 assists and sophomore Maggie Mergen led with a team-high 19 kills.

The Explorers (1-5) return to action tomorrow when they meet Temple at 10 AM and Penn at 4 PM.