KINGSTON, R.I. – The Explorers A-10 aspirations came to an end at the same stage as last season's campaign, falling to VCU in the semifinals, 3-0. Senior Kathryn Wood led all players with 34 assists, while junior Samantha Graver was tied for the game high with 12 kills.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• La Salle started with a slight lead up 6-5, which VCU countered by going on a 5-1 run. The Explorers stuck with them until 13-10, but a 6-1 jaunt from the Rams stretched the deficit to eight points. Although the Blue & Gold shortened it to three points when down 23-18, VCU took the final pair of points and the set.
• The early going of the second frame was a stalemate. The two teams were locked at 10-10 then traded points twice. VCU then proceeded to turn it up a notch, rattling off a 9-1 run. Although the Explorers took four of the next nine points, the Rams finished off the set with a kill.
• There was little to differentiate the sides in the third frame as La Salle battled to stay alive. The biggest lead of the set was three, when VCU opened up the set 3-0. After that, neither team could stretch further than a two-point advantage, eventually locking at 21-21. Three straight points from the Rams gave them match point, La Salle managed to get one back before VCU killed the Blue & Gold's playoff plans.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Effective duo: Sophomore Elizabeth Osborn and freshman Marisa Guisti hit well for the game. The pair combined for 16 kills on .387 hitting.
• Osborn also led the team in digs with seven.
• La Salle's team hitting percentage of .237 was its best against VCU this season (the other two games combined for .174).
• The Explorers finished with a slim lead in kills (41-40), while VCU took most other statistical categories convincingly.