Box Score
La Salle vs. NJIT Box (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – The Explorers finally returned home from a long road stretch on Wednesday night, falling in three sets to the NJIT Highlanders (20-25, 26-28, 16-25). Laura Kuhlmeier led the Blue & Gold attack with 11 kills (.122), while Michelle Healy notched 14 assists. Sophomore libero Erin Noga set a new career high with a match leading 30 digs.
 
La Salle returned home to the Tom Gola Arena Wednesday night, looking to gain some momentum as they head into Atlantic 10 Conference play this weekend. Standing in their way were the NJIT Highlanders who were looking to rebound from a difficult stretch of their own. The beginning of the match proved hotly competitive as both teams tried to scratch out a win.
 
The Explorers, buoyed by the energy of the home crowd, jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to start the match, and led 11-4 midway through the set. The Highlanders dug deep and clawed their way back into it on the strength of separate six and seven point runs to take a 17-14 lead. A five-point run shortly thereafter did in the Explorers as they lost the first set 18-25.
 
The second set took a very similar track as the first. The Explorers used a 7-2 run to grab the early lead as the teams hit the 1/3 mark of the set. The Highlanders promptly went on a 10-4 run to seize control of the set at 17-12. With their backs against the wall, the Explorers rattled off a 9-2 run of their own to take back the lead at 21-19. The teams battled back and forth as the Explorers survived two set-point opportunities by NJIT. Junior middle hitter Jennifer Whelan served for the set at 26-25, but the Highlanders were able to string together a three point run, sinking the Explorers in the second set 26-28.
 
Sapped from the difficult loss in the second set, the Blue & Gold dug an early hole in the third and decisive set, relinquishing a 10-0 run after the score was knotted at 2-2. With a last gasp effort the Explorers worked their way back into the set on the strength of a 6-1 run, bringing the score to 19-14. However, the comeback was not meant to be on this night, as NJIT (3-10) put together a 4-0 run to seize control of the deciding set.
 
Sophomore Laura Kuhlmeier played a strong match, posting her third double-double of the season with 11 kills (.122) and 16 digs. Junior Jennifer Whelan played a strong two-way game as well with 5 kills (.150) and 7 digs, while also igniting two long Explorer scoring runs with her serving. Senior Rachel Finkbeiner posted 6 kills on a season high .417 hitting percentage.
 
Sophomore Michelle Healy posted a double-double as well, notching a team leading 14 assists to go along with 10 digs. Junior Rachel Melich chipped in 10 helpers, while scoring a service ace to move her into first place on the Explorer roster.
 
Leading the way on the defensive side of the ball was sophomore libero Erin Noga. She continued her breakout season as the Blue & Gold libero, notching a match high and new career high of 30 digs. Freshman Ashley Felton tenaciously defended the net front with 6 block assists, adding to her substantial team lead.
 
The Explorers (1-16) are back in action this Friday, as they open Atlantic 10 play against George Mason at 7:00pm at the Tom Gola Arena.