PHILADELPHIA – La Salle (12-12, 6-6)  fell to Dayton (18-7, 11-0) Friday night, remaining competitive in the early going against a side that had only dropped two sets in conference play heading into the match. Despite the loss, the Explorers playoff hopes are looking good; all they need is a Duquesne loss to Dayton on Saturday night and they are in.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Explorers fended off the Flyers to begin the game, holding a slight 10-8 lead. A strong 9-3 Dayton run put the visitors in control, but La Salle countered with three straight points to close within one. A 4-1 jaunt by the Flyers put them back up four, a 4-1 response from the home side brought it back to 22-21. Three straight errors by La Salle gave Dayton the set.
• The second set was one of the closest all season. Neither team held a lead larger than two, with a staggering 12 lead changes transpiring. Dayton found itself at set point up 24-23, La Salle tallied twice to give itself the advantage, the Flyers tied it up again, and a kill by senior Devin Corah and an attacking error gave the Explorers a heard-earned set.
• After the Explorers took an early 3-1 lead in the third, Dayton responded with a surge of points. A 9-0 run put the visitors in control early. A brief stalemate ensued thereafter before the Flyers scored five of the next seven points, going up 19-9. La Salle tallied twice, but the opposition finished on a 6-1 run to take a commanding 2-1 lead.
• The fourth frame was closer, but Dayton showed that it was beginning to find its feet in Tom Gola Arena. A confident 7-2 opening for the away team turned into a 14-6 lead. Three straight points for the Blue & Gold signified an attempt to dig itself out, however a three-point answer from the Flyers put La Salle back down eight. Again, the Explorers showed promise by scoring six of the following nine points, which was quickly quashed by four final tallies for Dayton.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Records to watch: With 36 assists against Dayton, senior Kathryn Wood closed to within 24 of tying the all-time record. Corah racked up eight kills and moves to within five of tying the second-most kills in Explorers history.
• Woodn't you know it: La Salle's number three tallied her 15th double-double of the season, adding 16 digs to her assist tally and levelling her with junior Samantha Graver for most double-doubles on the team. It was the setter's fourth consecutive double-double and the eighth in her last nine games.
• Graver came up just short of extending her lead over Wood. La Salle's number seven finished with nine kills and 13 digs.
• Sophomore Elizabeth Osborn led the team with 11 kills. She now has 26 in her last two contests.
• Freshman tracker: Rachel Hess paced the Blue & Gold with 17 digs, while classmate Marisa Guisti tallied seven kills on an efficient .375 hitting, plus three total blocks.

UP NEXT

• Much anticipation surrounds Sunday's match against Saint Louis. La Salle will be honoring its seniors, two of whom could very likely move up in the history books.