PHILADELPHIA - The Explorers finally return home to the friendly confines of Philadelphia this weekend to take part in the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia West Penn Invitational at the historic Palestra. Coming off their fourth consecutive straight sets defeat Wednesday night against the Rider Broncs, the team hopes that returning to the Greater Philadelphia Area will help the team rebound from their tough start on the road.
 
"I think it's safe to say our team has been struggling on the road with traveling and opposing fans, but we're optimistic for the weekend where we'll at least be in [Philadelphia] and taking on our biggest rival in Temple," senior captain Rachel Finkbeiner said.
 
The Explorers hope that a change in strategy will help the team ignite the struggling offense. At the conclusion of Wednesday's match, head coach Dave Stever implemented a new alignment, which should diversify the team's offensive attack.
 
"After [the] game our coach did a major lineup change. Our setter played libero and we ran a 5-1 versus a 6-2 [alignment]," Finkbeiner said. "For three rotations we had two hitters versus three, but then our setter had the opportunity to be part of the offense."
 
The Blue & Gold hope that this strategy change will prove beneficial against this weekends tough slate against Weber State, American, and Big 5 rival Temple.
 
Scouting the Explorers
 
Kelly Perillo has led the Explorer attack this season. Her 102 kills rank third most in the Atlantic 10 conference, while her 3.29 kills/set average are the seventh best mark in the conference. She has recorded double-digit kills in six straight matches and has recorded 10+ kills in eight of nine matches overall this season.
 
The Explorers have continued to filter the attack through their two outstanding setters Rachel Melich and Michelle Healy. Healy is coming off a 20 assist performance against Rider, the fourth time she has topped the 20+ assist mark in a match this season.
 
Defensively, freshman Ashley Felton has led the net front defense. She leads the team with 28 total blocks (4 solo blocks – 24 block assists). Her 28 blocks are tied for the seventh best mark in the Atlantic 10. Sophomore Erin Noga has been splendid leading the second line of defense. Her 126 digs are the second best mark in the conference, while her 4.06 digs/set average is the sixth best mark in the A-10.
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La Salle Explorers (1-8) vs. Weber State Wildcats (3-6)
Saturday September 14, 2013 | 4:00 PM | Palestra
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Scouting the Wildcats
 
The Wildcats enter this weekend's action in a bit of a tailspin. They have dropped their last six matches after enjoying a 3-0 start in their opening weekend.
 
The Wildcats attack ranks near the bottom of the Big Sky Conference in most offensive categories. Their attack is balanced, as they have a number of contributors on the offensive end. Their attack flows through Rebecca Fuchs and Audrey Biggs, who are the team leaders in kills. Both players notched 14 kills a piece against Grand Canyon in their last tournament match.
 
The Wildcat attack flows through sophomore setter Whitney Hunt. Her 235 assists are the fifth highest mark in the Big Sky, while her 7.83 assists/set average is the ninth best mark in the conference.
 
One area where Weber State excels is on defense. The Wildcats lead the conference in total blocks (90.5), solo blocks (24), block assists (133), and blocks/set average (2.66). Freshman blocker Megan Bean leads the net front defense for the Wildcats. She leads the conference in total blocks (40), block assists (33), and is tied for first in solo blocks (7). Her 1.25 blocks/set average is the second best mark in the Big Sky.
 
Junior libero Mckay Tarbox leads the back line of the Weber State defense. Tarbox leads the conference with 154 digs, while her 4.53 digs/set average is the third best mark.
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La Salle Explorers (1-8) vs. Temple Owls (5-1)
Sunday September 15, 2013 | 10:00 AM | Palestra
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Scouting the Owls
 
The Owls have enjoyed a strong start to their 2013 season. They enter this weekend's action on a five match-winning streak since dropping their season opener against Buffalo. Last weekend they won the Patriot Invitational hosted by George Mason, sweeping all three matches by identical 3-1 scores. Most recently, the Owls traveled to Newark, NJ, outlasting NJIT in five sets.
 
The Owls rank near the middle of the American Athletic Conference in most statistical categories. Outstanding senior hitters Gabriella Matautia and Emily Carlin lead the Owls attack. Matautia's 98 kills are the third best mark in the conference, while her 3.92 kills/set average is the top mark in the AAC. Carlin boasts the sixth best mark in the conference with 86 kills, while her 3.74 kills/set average is third best in the conference.
 
The Temple attack flows through sophomore setter Sandra Sydlik. Her 167 assists are the eighth most in the AAC, while her 9.82 assists/set average is the fifth highest mark in the conference.
 
Junior blocker Jennifer Iacobini leads the Owls defense at the net front. Her 27 total blocks are the fourth best total in the AAC, while her 1.29 blocks/set is the second best average in the conference.
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La Salle Explorers (1-8) vs. American Eagles (7-0)
Sunday September 15, 2013 | 4:00 PM | Palestra
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Scouting the Eagles
 
American enters tournament action flying-high, with an undefeated 7-0 record. The Eagles are looking to win their third tournament on the young season, after sweeping their way to tournament wins in the DC Volleyball Challenge and SHU Hampton Inn Invitational on consecutive weekends to begin the 2013 season.
 
Talented junior hitter/middle blocker Kelly McCaddin leads the Eagles attack. McCaddin leads the Eagles with 65 kills and is second on the team with a 3.10 kills/set average. She was named ECAC Co-Player of the Week after enjoying a strong weekend of play in the SHU Hampton Inn Invitational. Her attack is supplemented by the strong play of junior Kristyna Lindovska. Lindovska has notched 64 kills on the season and boasts the best kills/set average on the team (3.56).
 
The Eagle attack flows through junior setter Monika Smidova. She leads the Eagles with 207 assists, and boasts a remarkable 10.89 assists/set average.
 
The 6'6'' McCaddin also is an imposing presence at the net front. Her and senior middle blocker Morgan Hendrix lead the Eagles with 22 total blocks apiece. The Eagles size advantage will be palpable as they have nine players on their roster that are 6'0 in height or taller.