Box Score PHILADELPHIA - La Salle (6-8) volleyball had a tough opening match of the Big 5 Tournament, dropping straight sets 3-0 to Temple (11-25, 14-25, 22-25). Senior
Jennifer Whelan led the Explorers with seven kills on the day. Freshman
Bryanna Davis and junior
Erin Noga both tallied double digit digs in the match.
The Explorers dropped a tough first set 25-11. Despite jumping out to an early 2-0 advantage thanks in part to a
Rachel Carr and
Kelly Perillo block, La Salle couldn't hold off the Owls.
Erin Noga led the Explorers with seven digs in the first set, and the team added three total blocks.
Set two saw La Salle fight back form an early hole, as Temple jumped out to an early 7-2 lead. However a
Laura Kuhlmeier kill tied things up at nine. Two points later an
Ashley Felton kill followed by an Owls attacking error gave the Explorers a 11-10 lead. Temple was able to regain their composure and pull away late in the set, taking set two 25-14. Perillo led La Salle with two kills in the set, and
Bryanna Davis added five digs in the set.
The Explorers came out fighting in set three holding the advantage much of the set. The Blue and Gold were able to jump out to a 5-2 lead following a Whelan kill. Later after Temple tied the match at 17, La Salle got three straight points off of a Whelan kill, Kuhlmeier kill and Owls error to grab a 20-17 lead. However, Temple was able to recompose themselves and ultimately pulled out the set 25-22 and took the match in straight sets. Kuhlmeier was a force to be reckoned with in set three, adding five of her six kills in the third frame
La Salle will return to action in day two of the action when they face the host Penn Quakers at 4 p.m. and the Villanova Wildcats at 4 p.m.
Live stats will be available, and a video feed of the Penn match will be available through the
Ivy League Network Digital Network.
