NEW ORLEANS- The La Salle volleyball team dropped its first match in the New Orleans Invitational 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-18) to Eastern Washington on Friday evening. Junior Ashley Felton was a bright spot in the loss adding seven kills while hitting .538 with no errors on 13 swings.
 
Senior Laura Kuhlmeier tied for a game high with eight kills while freshman setter Taylor Hite had a match high 22 assists while adding four kills on four attacks on the evening.
 
The Eagles jumped out to an early lead in set one and didn't look back. Eastern Washington (1-3) grabbed a 6-2 lead early in the set and didn't let up as they ended the match on an 11-3 run. Sophomore Bryanna Davis and Kuhlmeier each had three kills in set one.
 
Set two was more of the same as Eastern Washington jumped on La Salle (3-2) early and didn't look back. The Explorers hit .323 as a team in the second set but couldn't keep pace with the Eagles who attacked at a .417 clip. Felton and Hite led the way with three kills apiece in the frame while freshman Jensen Sharrits added four digs.
 
La Salle fought valiantly in the third set but ultimately Eastern Washington pulled out the set 25-18 for the 3-0 win. Felton converted on three of her four swings in the final frame.
 
The Explorers return to action tomorrow as they face Providence at 2 p.m. before closing out the invitational against the hosts New Orleans at 6 p.m.