Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Loyola (Ill.)-Manhattan Box Score
Niagara-Loyola Box Score
Manhattan-Bucknell

PHILADELPHIA - In its first taste of action this season, the La Salle volleyball team dropped their opener to Bucknell 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-15) but rebounded with a 3-2 (16-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-6) victory over Niagara later in the afternoon.

The Explorers jumped out to a quick start against Bucknell, winning the first set 25-19 aided by nine Samantha Tulskie kills. However, the Bison took the second set 25-20 and never looked back the rest of the match.

Tulskie finished with 15 kills (.205) and 13 digs while freshman Kelly Perillo added 10 kills in her collegiate debut. Breanna Mazalewski led the Explorers with 18 digs and three service aces. Rachel Melich paced the Explorers with 14 assists and added three aces of her own.

The Explorers' second match of the day looked bleak after dropping their first two sets to Niagara 25-16 and 25-17. However, they began the third set with a 10-2 run and closed to win 25-19. The fourth set was locked at 17-17 before the Explorers finished on an 8-5 run to send the match to the deciding fifth set. Four Sam Tulskie kills helped cement the Purple Eagles' fate as La Salle rolled in a 15-6 match-winning effort.

Tulskie led the way with 15 kills (.186) and 29 digs for the Explorers. Kelly Scanlon and Rachel Finkbeiner added 10 kills each while Rachel Melich posted a game-high 24 assists.

View La Salle-Niagara Photo Gallery

The Explorers (1-1) resume play tomorrow at 9AM vs. Loyola and will face Manhattan at 3PM, which will be streamed on GoExplorers.tv. 

The entire La Salle Invitational schedule can be viewed here.

Live stats for all of tomorrow's games can be found here.