Box Score
La Salle vs. Rhode Island Box (PDF)

PHILADELPHIA – The Explorers faced a difficult matchup against Rhode Island on the second day of A-10 Conference action, falling to the Rams on Saturday evening in straight sets (10-25, 22-25, 18-25). Sophomore hitter Kelly Perillo led the Explorer attack with 12 kills (.205), while adding 7 digs. Sophomore setter Michelle Healy notched a double-double with 14 assists and 12 digs.
 
La Salle entered Saturday night knowing that Rhode Island would be an extremely tough test. The Rams entered the match coming off a sweep of their mascot brethren Fordham Rams on Friday night. Rhode Island kept their momentum going, dispatching the Explorers in straight sets at Tom Gola Arena.
 
The Rams controlled the first set from wire to wire. Rhode Island began the match with two separate seven-point runs, opening up a 15-2 advantage. The hole was much too large for the Explorers to close as they dropped the opening set 10-25.
 
The second set proved much more competitive as the Explorers began to settle in. Both teams traded points throughout the duration of the set, and while the Explorers never held a lead they only trailed by one point in the late stages of the set. With the score at 19-23 the Explorers put together a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to one, prompting a Rhode Island timeout. With Jennifer Whelan on serve the Explorers hoped they could keep the momentum and take the set, but the Rams regrouped after the timeout to take the next two points and hold on for the set victory.
 
The third set looked extremely promising for the Explorers in the early going as they scored the set's first five points. The Rams battled back to tie the score at 8 apiece, snatching back the momentum of the set. An ensuing 14-5 run by the Rhode Island (8-7; 2-0 A-10) snuffed out any hope of the Explorer comeback.
 
Sophomore hitter Kelly Perillo played excellently in her second match since returning to the Explorer lineup following a shoulder injury. She led the Blue & Gold with 12 kills (.205), while also adding 7 digs. Senior Rachel Finkbeiner continued her strong attacking play of late adding 7 kills on a sizzling .462 hitting percentage.
 
Sophomore Michelle Healy led the Explorers with 14 assists and 12 digs. She notched her fourth double-double of the season and second this week.
 
The Explorers (1-18; 0-2 A-10) return to action Monday evening with a 7:00pm matchup against Big 5 rival Pennsylvania at Tom Gola Arena.