Box Score
La Salle vs. Saint Louis Box (PDF)
 
ST. LOUIS, MO – The Explorers hit the road Friday evening for the first of two conference matchups this weekend, heading west to take on Saint Louis. The Blue & Gold looked to avenge the loss handed to them by the Billikens at Tom Gola earlier this season. Saint Louis stifled the Explorers with smothering defense, as La Salle dropped the match in straight sets (12-25, 12-25, 21-25). Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Perillo played a solid all-around match for the Explorers, notching 4 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore setter Michelle Healy added 2 kills and a team leading 10 assists.
 
La Salle hoped that it could get the offense back on track after struggling to establish a rhythm in their last three conference matches. The Billikens (9-14; 5-3 A-10) jumped on the Blue & Gold early, repelling Explorer attacks with swarming defense. Saint Louis held distinct advantages in team blocks (9.5-4) and digs (42-31), leading to a sizeable .359 to -.011 hitting advantage.
 
The opening set started innocently enough for the Explorers, as the teams traded the first eight points of the match. However, the Billikens seemed to settle in after that, stringing together a 6-0 run to take control of the set. The Explorers were able to maintain the deficit at six, splitting the next six points with the powerful Billikens to bring the score 7-13 midway through the set. A subsequent 4-0 run by the Billikens widened the point spread to ten and effectively ended any hope of an Explorer comeback in the first set.
 
The middle frame began competitively as well. The teams were knotted at 7 apiece through the early portions of the swing set. However, another big Billiken run loomed just on the horizon. Saint Louis constructed a 10-2 run to snatch control of the set at 17-9. The deficit proved too much for the Explorers to handle, sending them into a big hole down two sets to none.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Explorers offense finally was able to establish a rhythm in the decisive third set. The Blue & Gold jumped out to the early lead, reaching the eight point mark first leading 8-6. Unfortunately, the Achilles heal for the Explorers this evening was allowing the big run, and it again reared its ugly head in the decisive frame. The Billikens put together a 12-3 run to again grab control of the set at 18-11. While things looked bleak for La Salle, they did not give-up, battling till the final point. A subsequent 5-2 run, capped by back-to-back kills by Felton, allowed the Blue & Gold to crawl back into the set at 16-20. They deficit was shrunk to three on a kill by sophomore outside hitter Laura Kuhlmeier, followed by a service ace by junior setter Rachel Melich. Alas, the Explorer rally fell short, as they dropped the third set 21-25.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Perillo played a fine all-around match. She notched co-team high 4 kills, while adding a team leading 10 digs and 2 block assists.
 
The middle of the Explorer offense was strong against the Billikens. Middle hitters Jennifer Whelan and Ashley Felton each collected 4 kills, while adding a combined 4 block assists.
 
Sophomore setter Michelle Healy led the Blue & Gold with 10 assists, while also chipping in 2 kills and 4 digs.
 
The Explorers (1-25; 0-8 A-10) return to action this Sunday afternoon, as they travel to the Bronx to take on the Fordham Rams.