Box Score
La Salle vs. George Mason Box (PDF)

FAIRFAX, VA – The Explorers returned to action Saturday evening, dropping a road match to the George Mason Patriots in straight sets 25-23, 25-11, 25-19. Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Perillo led the Blue & Gold with 9 kills. Junior setter Rachel Melich chipped in 15 assists, while sophomore libero Erin Noga notched 19 digs.
 
La Salle hoped to crack the conference win column for the first time on Saturday evening, however, George Mason (6-13; 2-3 A-10) stood in their way looking to snap a 3 match losing streak since both teams met in the A-10 season opener two weekends ago. The Patriots rode a 7-3 team block advantage and a 55-44 dig advantage, en route to a .265-.099 hitting advantage to take the three set victory.
 
The Explorers looked inspired to take their first conference victory of the season in the early going, as they battled the Patriots tightly in the first set. The teams traded points in the early going, before George Mason opened a two point let at 5-7 on the strength of a kill by senior outside hitter Lana Zonjic. The deficit swelled to four at 10-14 when the Patriots notched back-to-back kills by Owokoniran and Zonjic. The Blue & Gold battled back to take a one point lead when they put together a 4-0 run to take the first set lead at 19-18, on the strength of two kills by freshman outside hitter Phoebe Cook. With the score tied at 22 apiece, George Mason snatched away the opening set victory on kills by Zonjic and setter Tori Price.
 
The second set looked promising for the Blue & Gold, as they battled the Patriots in the early going. With the set tied at 6-6, George Mason put together a 6-0 run to take control of the set. A subsequent 10-3 run by the Patriots firmly put George Mason in control, as they cruised to the second set victory.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Explorers battled hard in the early going of the third set to try and get back into the match. They traded points with George Mason throughout the first half of the set, as both teams were tied at 11-11 midway through the set. The Patriots strung together a 6-1 run to open up the third set. George Mason was able to maintain the margin throughout the duration of the decisive set to take the straight set victory.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Perillo led the Explorers with 9 kills on a strong .214 hitting percentage. She also chipped in 6 digs and a service ace.
 
Freshman outside hitter Phoebe Cook also returned to a prominent role in the Blue & Gold attack, notching 7 kills on a solid .208 hitting percentage, while also contributing 5 digs.
 
Junior setter Rachel Melich led the Explorers with 15 assists, while sophomore setter Michelle Healy chipped in 11 helpers.
 
Sophomore libero Erin Noga had a match high 19 digs, while also adding a solo block.
 
The Explorers (1-23; 0-6 A-10) return to action Friday, October 18^th, when they take on the George Washington Colonials at 7:00pm at Tom Golo Arena.