Aug. 28, 2010

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Explorers suffered a 3-0 loss (15-25, 16-25, 10-25) to Niagara in the opening match of day two at the La Salle Invitational.

Samantha Tulskie led the Explorers (0-3) with eight kills while Jackie Mitrovich added five. Kourtney Clark tallied 17 assists, while defensively Breanna Mazalewski tallied fourteen digs. Niagara's Amanda Wilken led all attackers with ten kills.

Freshmen Rachel Finkbeiner and Colleen Fedorowicz made their collegiate debuts for the Explorers, getting the start in the first set. After falling behind early against the Purple Eagles, La Salle pushed the score to within four after Niagara misshit the ball into the net. A Wilken kill capped a late 5-0 Niagara run that put the game out of reach for the Explorers.

In the second set, La Salle narrowed the gap to within two at 13-11 after a Niagara kill attempt went wide. The Explorers played the Purple Eagles tough, but fell 16-25.

La Salle fell behind early in the third set after Niagara went on a 7-1 run and closed out the match with a 10-25 third set victory.

After playing two matches, Niagara, the 2009 MAAC champion, has yet to drop a set at the La Salle Invitational.

The Explorers will look for their first win of the season tonight when they take the court against Hartford at 7:00 pm in the La Salle Invitational finale.