BRONX, N.Y. – Volleyball continued its march on the postseason with an impressive comeback win over Fordham on Sunday. Having fallen behind two sets to one, the Explorers outscored the Rams 40-19 in the final pair of frames to finish the weekend 2-0. La Salle is now level with George Washington in conference play with the Colonials owning the tiebreaker, meaning La Salle sits fifth in the standings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Fordham took an early 3-0 lead that La Salle closed rather quickly. Neither team would gain separation until a 6-2 run by the home team put the Rams up 16-12. The Explorers managed to get within a point of tying the game twice thereafter, but Fordham took the first set.
• After an early deadlock at 3-3, La Salle responded by going on an 8-3 run. The Explorers maintained their lead thereafter, never allowing Fordham to tie the set and get back into it, eventually winning it comfortably, 25-16.
• The momentum from the previous set carried over to the third as La Salle jumped out to a 7-3 start. Despite this, the home side consistently battled its way back into the frame, leading to Fordham taking the lead at 17-16. The Explorers tied things at 18-18, but a two-point response from the Rams gave them enough breathing room to finish out the set and take a 2-1 advantage.
• Neither side separated itself to begin the fourth until La Salle held a 9-7 lead. After that, the Blue & Gold tallied four unanswered. Fordham closed to within five twice, but that's as close the hosts would get—a 4-1 run by the Explorers put them up 18-10. The Rams could not narrow that deficit and La Salle took the fourth, 25-12.
• The visitors began the decisive fifth frame by opening a commanding 6-0 advantage. Fordham narrowed it to 8-3, but La Salle finished strongly with a 7-4 run to complete the comeback.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Graver's day: It wasn't just her team-leading 15th double-double of the season, it was junior Samantha Graver's first career triple-double. La Salle's number seven tallied career-bests in assists (10) and digs (28) to go along with 14 kills. She becomes the first A-10 player to record a triple-double this season.
• Also, Wood's day: Not to be outdone, senior Kathryn Wood tallied her 14th double-double of 2019—the most in a single season of her career. The star setter didn't just assist—although she did plenty of that with 48 assists; she also recorded 17 digs, six kills and tied her career-high in blocks with four.
• Wood watch: La Salle's number three continues to inch closer to the program's assist record. Her tally today elevates her to 4,249 on her career, which is 60 away from tying the La Salle's all-time mark.
• Sophomore Elizabeth Osborn finished with a game-high 15 kills. She was joined by Graver, senior Catherine Edgington (12 kills) and freshman Marisa Guisti (11 kills) in double-digits.
• Can you dig it? Along with Graver's career-best, three other Explorers tallied double figures in digs: freshman Rachel Hess (26), Wood (17) and redshirt freshman Sarah Nahas (15).
• Block party: For the second straight game, La Salle finished with the edge in blocks, 9-8. Edgington led the way with a season-high seven, followed by Wood (four) and senior Devin Corah (three).
• The Explorers led in every notable category, especially by out-killing Fordham 65-44, out-assisting them 63-42 and out-digging them 105-90. La Salle hit .216 as a team compared to the Rams' .115.
• The win over Fordham was La Salle's third straight against the Rams, dating back to the beginning of 2018.
• Birthday bliss: The Blue & Gold is now 2-0 on gameday birthdays this season, defeating Davidson on Jenna Nagle's birthday and now Fordham on Corah's birthday.

 
UP NEXT

• A pair of challenges await La Salle next weekend as it hosts Dayton (10-0) and Saint Louis (8-2) to conclude the regular season home slate.