Box Score
La Salle vs. GMU Box (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – The Explorers opened up their conference schedule this evening with a home matchup against George Mason, dropping the match in straight sets (17-25, 20-25, 12-25). Freshman Phoebe Cook set new career highs with 8 kills (.182) and 6 digs. Sophomore Michelle Healy led the Blue & Gold with 11 assists.
 
La Salle entered tonight looking to get off to a quick start to their conference schedule with a home matchup against the George Mason Patriots. With both teams entering Friday evening coming off difficult non-conference slates, Friday seemingly served as a fresh start for the struggling squads. In the end, the Patriots proved to be just a little too much for the Explorers to handle, sending the Blue & Gold to a 0-1 start in Atlantic 10 play. They stymied the Explorers attack, out-hitting the Blue & Gold .315 to .021 on the strength of 8-0 total block advantage.
 
The match began with both teams trading points, before George Mason was able to string together 5 straight points to grab a 13-6 lead midway through the first set. While the Explorers were able to go on a small 3-0 run to pull themselves back into the set on the strength of back-to-back kills by Cook, the deficit proved too much for the Blue & Gold as they dropped the opening set 17-25.
 
The second set proved much more competitive, as the teams traded points with 8 ties and 3 lead changes. With the Explorers holding an 11-10 lead the Patriots gained some offensive traction, stringing together an 11-4 run to snatch control of the set at 21-15. The Blue & Gold dug deep cutting the deficit to 4, but again the rally fell short to the relentless attack of Patriot hitters Jessie Greenslade and Morghan Martin, as the Explorers fell short again in the 2^nd set 20-25.
 
With the match firmly in hand, George Mason looked to fully take the wind out of the sails of the Explorers rally hopes. The Patriots (5-10; 1-0 A-10) jumped out to an early 12-2 lead, and never looked back as they cruised to the third set victory.
 
Freshman Phoebe Cook enjoyed the best match of her fledgling Explorer career, notching new career highs with 8 kills (.182) and 6 digs. Sophomore Kelly Perillo returned to the Blue & Gold lineup after missing the previous six matches with a shoulder injury. She contributed 3 kills and 5 digs to the Explorer cause. Junior Jennifer Whelan and senior Rachel Finkbeiner each collected 4 kills.
 
Sophomore Michelle Healy played a strong two-way game with 3 kills, 6 digs, and a team leading 11 assists. Junior Rachel Melich chipped in 6 helpers.
 
The Explorers (1-17; 0-1 A-10) return to action tomorrow evening with a 7:00pm matchup against the Rhode Island Rams at Tom Gola Arena.