Box Score

DOVER, Del. – La Salle closed out their nonconference schedule with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22) win at Delaware State. The Explorers featured a well-rounded offensive effort with senior Jennifer Whelan, sophomore Ashley Felton, and juniors Kelly Perillo and Laura Kuhlmeier all notching double digit kills.
 
La Salle came out and dropped a tight first set, falling 25-23 to the host Hornets. Despite falling behind 22-20, the Explorers fought back thanks in part to a kill from freshman Hannah McGary to tie things up at 22 apiece. However, Delaware State was able to rally off three of the next four points to take the set and grab a 1-0 lead in the match. La Salle was led by Felton in the first frame as she went 3-4 on offense for a .750 hitting percentage. Jennifer Whelan added three kills of her own as well as three digs.
 
The Explorers were able to rebound nicely in the second set, and reestablish the momentum in the match. With things tied up at 9-9, La Salle rallied off 11 of the next 15 points to grab a 20-13 advantage. The run was fueled by three Kelly Perillo kills as well as a bevy of errors by the Hornets. La Salle sealed the second set with four straight points for a 25-16 set win. Kelly Perillo, playing in her home state of Delaware, notched five kills in the second frame, while Ashley Felton again added three kills on just four swings. Perillo also added a team high six digs in the second set. McGary converted her only swing of the set while also adding two service aces.
 
The Blue and Gold were able to continue building their momentum in the third set. Efficient offense was vital to the Explorers as they hit .371 in the frame on their way to a 25-18 set win. Ashley Felton (.500), Kelly Perillo (.400), Jennifer Whelan (.375), and Laura Kuhlmeier (.400) all hit over .350 in the third set and were able to provide vital late kills to ensure that the host Hornets didn't erase an early 12-6 advantage built by La Salle.
 
La Salle pulled out a tight fourth frame, 25-22, to take the match 3-1 and end their road trip on a winning note. Delaware State fought off three straight set points before a two person block by Ashley Felton and junior Michelle Healy sealed the set and match for the Explorers. Felton again provided efficient offense, converting three of six swings for a .333 hitting percentage. La Salle used four service aces in the decisive set to supplement their offense.
 
This was just the second time all season that four Explorers recorded double digit kills and the first since an August 30^th win over Coppin State. Both Kelly Perillo (14 kills and 12 digs) and Laura Kuhlmeier (14 kills and 10 digs) recorded double-doubles on the evening. This was the tenth double-double on the season for Perillo and for Kuhlmeier it was just her second of the season.
 
Junior Erin Noga added 15 digs in the winning effort. This was her 11^th match this season recording double digit digs. The team who entered the match the top team in the nation in digs, added 11 more to their total. Freshman Hannah McGary led the way with four, while Michelle Healy added three of her own. This was the sixth match of the year that the team recorded double digit service aces. Michelle Healy added 29 assists on the night while senior Rachel Melich added 18 of her own.
 
La Salle (8-16, 1-6 A-10) returns home after nearly a month long road trip next weekend as they welcome George Washington on Friday at 7 p.m. and George Mason on Sunday at 1 p.m. to Tom Gola Arena.