PHILADELPHIA- The La Salle women's volleyball team dropped a tight 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 20-25, 20-25) match to George Mason on Sunday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena. Three Explorers finished with double-digit kills on the afternoon.
 
Junior Ashley Felton led the offensive effort with a match-high 14 kills while sophomore Bryanna Davis (13 kills) and senior Kelly Perillo (11 kills joined her in double-digits. Felton hit .545 on the afternoon, which was the sixth time she hit over .500 on the season. Perillo ended with double-digit kills for the first time since the season opener against Norfolk State.
 
Set one saw the Patriots (7-14, 2-5 A-10) use a seven point run midway through the set to grab a 13-7 lead. However, La Salle was able to erase the deficit as they tied things up at 19-19 later in the set. Mason ended the set on a 4-1 run to grab the frame 25-22 and jump out to the early lead. Perillo had five kills in the first frame while Felton was a perfect 3-3 in the set.
 
La Salle was able to even things up heading into the break with a 25-18 set two win. The Explorers 6-17, 0-7 A-10) were fueled by a seven point run midway through the stretch to open up a 17-11 lead from which they wouldn't look back. Perillo had two kills during the run to fuel the run. Felton, Davis and Perillo all had four kills during the set with Felton and Perillo hitting .667 while Davis hit .500. As a team the Explorers hit .406 during the second set. Felton added three block assists during the set as well.
 
The Patriots were able to jump out to an early 9-2 lead in set two on their way to a 25-20 set win. La Salle fought  back, and were able to cut the lead to just one at 21-20 late in the set but it wasn't enough. Felton led the way with five kills in the frame converting five of eight swings hitting .500 in the set.
 
The Explorers jumped out to a 6-0 start in set four and held a 10-3 lead, but couldn't hold on as Mason fought back to grab the frame 25-20 and the match 3-1. The Patriots went on an 11-3 run to regain the momentum and grab a 14-13 lead after the initial push from La Salle. Things remained tight throughout the set but the visitors ended the match on a 5-1 run to wrap up the victory.
 
Freshman Taylor Hite finished with 45 assists on the afternoon, which set her high in a conference game this season. Hite and senior Laura Kuhlmeier each finished with nine digs on the match.
 
Felton's .545 hitting percentage tied for the second highest by an Atlantic 10 player against a conference opponent this season, and set the mark for a conference match that went longer than three sets.
 
La Salle returns to action midweek as they head to Princess Anne, Md. to take on UMES in the final nonconference matchup of the season. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.