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La Salle v. Temple Box (PDF)
La Salle v. American Box (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA - The Explorers were staring down the barrel of a very difficult second day at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. With matchups against their Big 5 rival Temple and undefeated American, the team knew they would have their work cutout for them in trying to get back in the win column.
 
Temple 3 – La Salle 1 (25-18, 25-15, 20-25, 25-16)
The Blue & Gold started their second day action with a 10:00am tilt with the Temple Owls. This was a matchup that the Explorers had been looking forward to for quite some time, as they hoped to snatch a victory away from their neighbor down Broad Street. The team clearly gained energy from facing off against their bitter rival, as both teams battled a close back and forth match. Ultimately, the Owls were about to outlast the Explorers, winning the match in four sets (25-18, 25-15, 20-25, 25-16).
 
The match began with both teams battling for control. Midway through the set the score was tied at 10 apiece, but the Owls used an 8 to 1 take control. The Blue & Gold scrappily made a run of their own to close the set to 21-18, but unfortunately for the Explorers the rally ran out of steam.
 
The second set resembled the first. The Explorers held their own with the physical Owls in the early going, trailing by a score of 8-7. The Owls proceeded to put together a 10-2 run, which wrestled away control of the second set.
 
The Explorers entered the third set staring another straight sets loss squarely in the face. Again the teams battled back and forth as the set progressed. However, this time it was the Explorers that were poised to make a run. With the score tied at 15, the Blue & Gold pieced together a 10-5 run to upend the Owls sweep hopes.
 
Unfortunately for the Explorers, the third set rally left the Explorers gassed. The Owls quickly took control of the fourth set and never looked back. While the team was disappointed in dropping the match to their rival, they looked upon the positives they could take from the hard fought match.
 
"It was a hard fought game, [but] we are taking steps in the right direction," junior co-captain Rachel Melich said. "We did not come out with a win, but I think all the girls have stepped their game up. Laura did an awesome job hitting and Kat Martin came in and really stepped up so we were really proud of both of them," Melich said.
 
Laura Kuhlmeier led the Explorers in kills for the second consecutive match, falling just short of the double-double with 9 kills (.094) and 10 digs. Kelly Perillo contributed 8 kills (.094) and 11 digs. Rachel Finkbeiner chocked up 5 kills (.100) for the Blue & Gold.
 
Junior setter Rachel Melich enjoyed a fabulous match, notching her first double-double of the season with 20 assists and 11 digs, while also contributing 3 kills (.750) on just 4 attacks. Michelle Healy played a strong all-around match, posting 8 kills (.300) – 12 assists – 7 digs.
 
Sophomore libero led all Explorers with 19 digs, while also continuing her strong serve play with 2 service aces.
 
American 3 – La Salle 0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-13)
In the tournament capper the Explorers faced the extremely talented American Eagles. The Eagles boasted an undefeated record, and it was evident from the outset that it was going to be an uphill battle for the young Explorers. Making matters worse, stand out hitter Kelly Perillo was unable to participate in the match. The tall front line of American used their size advantage to stifle the Explorer attack, dispatching the Blue & Gold in straight sets (25-12, 25-12, 25-13).
 
Laura Kuhlmeier and Elena Lamping led the Blue & Gold with 5 kills apiece.
 
Michelle Healy notched 7 assists, while Rachel Melich chipped in 5 helpers.
 
The Week Ahead
The Explorers head back to the road this coming Tuesday with a 7:00pm match against Morgan State. The team hopes it can build upon its performance against Temple, hopefully translating those lessons into a strong performance against the Bears. Following Tuesday night's matchup, the Explorers will head south to Tennessee for the Memphis Invitational. The Blue & Gold will faceoff against UALR on Friday, before concluding tournament action on Saturday with matchups against Memphis and Austin Peay.
 
"We still have a lot of work to do, but we know exactly what we have to do in practice Monday," Melich said. "The coaches are going [to] work us to get the best results."