Box Score

PHILADELPHIA- The La Salle volleyball team grabbed a 3-2 (25-15, 22-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-6) win over Fordham on Friday night at Tom Gola Arena. The Explorers were led by senior Jennifer Whelan with 16 kills, while juniors Laura Kuhlemier and Kelly Perillo both added in 12 kills of their own.
 
The Explorers jumped out of the gate fast, winning the first set in commanding fashion, 25-15. Despite a tight early portion of the set with La Salle holding a narrow 4-3 advantage, the home team was able to win 16 of the next 23 points to take a lead they would not look back from. Laura Kuhlmeier led the way with 5 kills in the set, while her classmate Kelly Perillo grabbed the final two points of the set to seal the Explorers set win.
 
The Rams came fighting back in the second frame. With things tied up at 8-8, the visitors were able to distance themselves building up to a four point lead throughout the set. Despite facing set point at 24-20, the Explorers were able to grab the next two points to make things interesting. However, it ultimately wasn't enough, as Fordham finished things up with a 25-22 second set win. Jennifer Whelan led the way in the third set with four kills, while Kelly Perillo and Ashely Felton both added in three kills of their own.
 
La Salle reestablished the momentum in set four, grabbing a 25-14 win to regain a 2-1 advantage in the match. With things at 15-10, La Salle turned up the pressure and scored ten of the next 14 points to put a stamp on the third frame. Jennifer Whelan again led the way with five kills in the set. Laura Kuhlmeier and freshman Hannah McGary both added in three of their own kills.
 
Again, visiting Fordham refused to roll over as they fought back to tie things up at 2-2 by winning the fourth frame 25-22. Kelly Perillo had three early kills to pace the Explorers in the frame. The Explorers were up 22-17 in the set, but the Rams went on an 8-0 run to finish off the set and keep themselves alive in the match.
 
In the decisive set five, La Salle jumped out to an early lead and didn't look back, grabbing the set 15-6, and taking the match 3-2. With things tied at 1-1 early in the set, La Salle grabbed the next 8 points to open up a lead that the Rams had no answer to. The run was fueled by a balanced offense with four kills coming from four different players. Ultimately it was again the senior Jennifer Whelan who led the way with three kills to close out the match.  
 
La Salle was incredibly efficient hitting on the night, as a team they outhit the Rams .253 to .132 with Whelan (.467), Kuhlmeier (.400), and McGary (.364) having great individual performances.
 
Michelle Healy posted five service aces on the night, her second highest total of the season. She also added 51 assists on the night, her fourth time this season tallying over 50 assists in a match.
 
Defensively, three Explorers tallied over 10 kills. Junior libero Erin Noga led the way with 25 digs on the evening which was a season high for the junior. Kelly Perillo and Laura Kuhlmeier also had double digit digs with 17 and 15 digs respectively. Both Perillo and Kuhlmeier finished with double-doubles on the night.
 
La Salle returns to action on Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Rhode Island Rams to Philadelphia. Prior to the 1 p.m. first serve, the Explorers will celebrate senior day and honor the programs three seniors.