PHILADELPHIA – After returning from the Iona Invitational with a share of the tournament crown, the La Salle volleyball team (6-6) again hits the road, for a midweek matchup against St. John's (8-3). The contest is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start; fans can view the game via ESPN3.
La Salle Explorers (6-6) at St. John's Red Storm (8-3)Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 6 p.m.Live Statistics | Live Video | Sign Up For Text Alerts
Scouting the Explorers...The Explorers are coming off a strong 2-1 performance at the Iona Tournament that saw them earn a share of the tournament crown. After opening up the weekend with a tough 1-3 loss to Hartford, La Salle responded taking matches from Bryant, 3-2, and Iona, 3-1, on the second day of action. Adding in a midweek, 3-1, win over Rider, the Blue and Gold were 3-1 during the last week of action.
The Explorers have been led by junior
Kelly Perillo offensively. Perillo leads the team with 163 kills, averaging nearly 3.5 kills per set. Perillo was named to the Towson Invitational all-tournament team.
Defensively the team has been led by freshman
Bryanna Davis who has transitioned very effectively into the libero role. Averaging 4.65 digs per set, Davis was named to the Iona Invitational All-Tournament team this past weekend. Davis also checks in at second in the nation with 27 service aces on the year.
Junior
Michelle Healy leads the team with 469 assist on the year. The 469 assists, leads the conference and is good for fourth nationally in total assists. Healy has also added 22 service aces, which is good for eighth nationally. Healy and Davis were both named to the Iona Invitational all-tournament team this past weekend.
Scouting the Red Storm...St. Joh's enters the matchup having taken three of four games in the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic. The Red Storm dropped the opener to Dartmouth, 3-2, before winning their final three against; New Hampshire, 3-0, St. Francis (NY), 3-0, and Fresno State, 3-1.
Junior Karin Palgutova leads the team with 150 kills on the year, averaging just south of 4.0 kills per set. She is hitting .282 so far on the year, and has added 94 digs and 15 total blocks as well.
Senior Aleksandra Wachowicz was named the MVP of the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic after compiling 22 kills while hitting .444 in the tournament-clinching victory against Fresno State.
Deniz Mutlugil has handled the ball the majority of the season for the Red Storm, having racked up 374 assists on the season. Sophomore Briana Guzman has been a monster at the net for St. John's with 38 blocks on the season.
Next UpThe Explorers return to Philadelphia to participate in the Big 5 Tournament facing off against Temple on Friday, September 19 at 4:00 p.m. and Penn and Villanova on Saturday, September 20 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. respectively.
