Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PHILADELPHIA – La Salle Volleyball earned a split of their season opening twin bill as host team at the La Salle Invitational on Saturday, winning the tournament opener against Fairleigh Dickinson before dropping the nightcap against Lafayette.
 
The Explorers got off to a flying start in their season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson University, as they swept the Knights in straight sets (25-20, 25-19, 25-22). The La Salle women were able to establish their net front presence early and often translating to a quick win.
 
Kelly Perillo led the Explorers with 10 kills (.147), while also contributing 8 digs. With Jennifer Whelan out nursing an injury, Elana Lamping and Laura Kuhlmeier stepped up to fill the void contributing 8 (.357) and 7 (.130) kills respectively.
 
Michelle Healy and Rachel Melich consistently provided excellent feeds to the attackers. Healy led the Explorers with 17 assists, while Melich chipped in 10 helpers of her own.
 
La Salle freshman Ashley Felton made her first career start and was a strong presence at the net on both ends for the Blue & Gold. She notched 4 kills (.167) offensively and led the team in blocks (1 solo block – 5 block assists).
 
In the nightcap, La Salle battled hard but eventually fell to the Lafayette Leopards in 4 sets (22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 18-25). The Explorers dug themselves an early hole dropping the first two sets. They rallied to take the third set, and led by four points midway through the 4^th set before a six point Lafayette run eventually downed the Explorers.
 
Kelly Perillo again paced the Explorers with 13 kills (.118). Kuhlmeier had an excellent two way game with 11 kills (.222) and 22 digs. Lamping pitched in 10 kills (.273), while Finkbeiner contributed 8 kills (.400).
 
Healy and Melich again led the way in the setting department putting up 27 assists and 20 assists respectively.
 
Lafayette slightly outhit the young Explorers (.208-.203), but it proved to be the difference in the match. "Obviously we're disappointed, we would have liked to take both matches," said head coach Dave Stever. "We honestly did not hit too badly, but they hit a little better than we did."
 
La Salle will play their third match of the Invitational slate tomorrow morning at 9:00am against Sacramento State (2-0). "They're going to be tough, they will probably be our toughest match," said Stever. "We'll try to get a good night's sleep here and come rejuvenated in the morning."
 
The Explorers will round out their Invitational slate with a match against the Bucknell Bison (1-1) at 2:00pm Sunday.