Box Score
La Salle vs. Dayton Box (PDF)
 
PHILADELPHIA – The Explorers returned to the hard court Friday evening, facing a Dayton team motivated to get in the win column after consecutive five-set defeats in the opening weekend of conference play. The Flyers handled the Explorers from start to finish, as the Blue & Gold were dispatched in three sets (12-25, 16-25, 14-25). Sophomore outside hitter Laura Kuhlmeier returned to action after missing the last three matches, leading the Explorers in kills with 8. Sophomore setter Michelle Healy chipped in 16 assists.
 
La Salle knew it faced a difficult matchup against the traditionally strong Dayton Flyers. The Flyers (7-8; 1-2 A-10) had extra motivation, as they were coming off two consecutive five-set defeats, including allowing Saint Louis to comeback from a two set deficit to defeat the Flyers last Sunday. Dayton never allowed the Explorers to gain any offensive traction, outhitting the Explorers .390 to .055 and out-blocking them 6.0 to 2.0.
 
The first set began with Explorers digging a substantial hole, as the Flyers started the match with an 11-2 run. Although the Explorers were able to twice cut to deficit to six points at 14-8 and 15-9, a final 7-1 run placed the set out of reach.
 
The second set began much better for the Explorers, as they were able to establish some offensive rhythm early. The Blue & Gold hung with the imposing Flyers, trailing 11-9 as the teams neared the halfway point of the set. However, Dayton was able to rattle off another 7-1 run, as the Explorer offense got a little sloppy midway through the set. With the Explorers trailing by 6, Dayton turned up their offensive game. Kills by Brown, Agu, Loiars, and Hannan, iced away the second set in favor of the Flyers.
 
La Salle hoped the 10-minute intermission would allow them to regroup and figure out a way to dissect the excellent Dayton defense. Early on it looked as though the Explorers had found the secret to unlocking the scrappy Flyers, as the teams were tied through the sets early going. However, Dayton strung together another impressive 10-2 run to snatch control of the set and ultimately the match.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Laura Kuhlmeier returned to action after missing the last three matches because of injury. She led the Explorers with 8 kills and 8 digs. Junior middle hitter Jennifer Whelan posted a season high 6 kills on a scintillating .444 hitting percentage.
 
Freshman middle hitter Ashley Felton also made a return to the lineup after missing the prior three contests. She chipped in 4 kills and added to her substantial team blocking lead with 2 block assists.
 
Junior outside hitter Anna Atiyeh made her home debut this season, nearly notching a kill in the third set.
 
Michelle Healy led the Explorers with 16 assists, the fifth match in a row she has recorded double-digit helpers. Junior setter Rachel Melich contributed 8 assists, while leading all players with a match high 3 service aces.
 
The Explorers (1-20; 0-3 A-10) return to action tomorrow evening with a 7:00pm clash with the Saint Louis Billikens at Tom Gola Arena.