Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle volleyball knocked off Rider 3-2 (25-14, 26-24, 17-25, 16-25, 15-12) in a thrilling five-set affair Wednesday evening at Tom Gola Arena.

The Explorers jumped out to an early match advantage with a dominating 25-14 first set behind five Kelly Scanlon kills.

Down 22-24 in the second set, La Salle rallied for the last four points, capped by a Samantha Tulskie kill to end the frame. However, Rider (6-4) bounced back with third and fourth set victories, forcing a deciding fifth period.

The Bronc's momentum carried into the fifth, leading 5-2 after seven points before the Explorers responded with a 13-7 run to finish off the visitors. Kelly Scanlon buried her 15th kill of the day in the teeth of the Rider defense to seal the emotional victory for the blue and gold.

Scanlon posted 15 kills (.160) and 27 digs to lead the Explorers in both categories with her sixth double-double of the season.

"After all our preparation, there was no way we weren't winning that match tonight," Scanlon said. "We stayed mentally focused and really came together as a team, which I'm most proud of." 

Despite their 0-3 result on the west coast over the weekend, Scanlon sees it as an advantage moving forward.

"We played some top notch west coast teams that really lit a a fire underneath us last weekend," she said. "We're taking that west coast play back to the east coast."

Samantha Tulskie registered 13 kills (.143) and 25 digs while Rachel Melich and Michelle Healy split assist duties with 26 and 23, respectively.

The Explorers (2-10) are back in action this Saturday in the Delaware State Tri-Match. They'll take on St. Francis (Pa.) at 4PM and host Delaware State at 7PM.