Women's Volleyball | October 17, 2019
PHILADELPHIA – After a big win against Villanova on Saturday, the Explorers are back on the road and look to carry momentum over into conference play. They'll take on George Washington on Friday and George Mason on Saturday; both games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will be available to stream on ESPN+.
ABOUT THE EXPLORERS
- For the fourth time all season, and the second time in two games, La Salle went to five sets in a comeback against Villanova. The Explorers are 2-2 on the season when matches go the full possible length.
- The Blue & Gold currently sits seventh in Atlantic 10 standings (below Duquesne on a tiebreaker), but has a chance to move up to fourth with optimal outcomes.
- The Explorers enter the weekend first in the conference in assists per set (12.73 – 31st in the nation), kills per set (13.54 – 38th in the nation) and attacks per set (37.92 – 17th in the nation).
- Senior Kathryn Wood leads the A-10 in assists per set (10.29) and total assists (638), while junior Samantha Graver is second in total kills (236) and third in total points (260).
- Freshman Rachel Hess' 4.49 digs per set ranks third in the conference. Among all rookies in the NCAA, only nine have a better rate.
SCOUTING THE COLONIALS
- George Washington is off to a 9-9 start this season, having dropped both of its games last weekend. Its 3-2 record in A-10 play is good for fourth in the standings.
- The Colonials have found particular success defending the net and scoring off the serve. Their blocks per set rate of 2.45 is second in the conference. Their aces per set mark of 1.56 is also second, however La Salle out-aced George Washington in their last matchup 4-1.
- Speaking of the last matchup, senior Jordan Young led the visitors with 10 kills on a team-high 26 attacks. Classmate Skylar Iott (seven kills, 23 attacks) was largely kept quiet despite her numbers this year. She is fifth in the country in attacks per set (12.90) and third in the conference in kills per set (3.84).
- Game time: Friday, 7 p.m.
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS
- George Mason has struggled this campaign. In the last 18 years, it has posted a 4-13 record on three occasions (2005, 2012 and 2019).
- The Explorers defeated the Patriots in three sets the last time they met, extending La Salle's winning streak to three games.
- At the bottom of the standings, the Patriots don't rank highly in many categories within the conference. Their blocks per set tally of 2.19 is the exception, checking in at third in the A-10.
- Sophomore Erin Derick is George Mason's provider on offense. She served up 28 assists in the last meeting against La Salle and posts an 8.61 assists per set mark that is sixth in the A-10.
- Game time: Saturday, 7 p.m.
