DAVIDSON, N.C. – La Salle recorded its first conference win of the season Sunday courtesy of a 3-0 result at Davidson. The Explorers out-killed the home side 44-32, headlined by senior Devin Corah's lethally efficient stat line: a game-high 19 kills on 35 total attempts for a hitting percentage of .400.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The visitors started well with a 4-1 jump, but the Wildcats countered and eventually took a 6-5 lead. The teams traded blows, with neither side opening up a lead greater than two until later in the game when a three-point Explorers' run gave La Salle a 22-19 edge. Despite the Wildcats subsequently outscoring the Explorers 4-2, a kill by freshman Marisa Guisti delivered the opening set to the away side.
• Davidson tallied the first two points of the second frame, but La Salle was on a mission—emphasized by an eight-point run that ensued. The Wildcats would close to within four points on four different occasions (at 9-5, 10-6, 12-8 and 15-11), but the Explorers would not allow them any closer. A seven-point run by the Blue & Gold opened its lead up to 22-11 and Davidson would not recover.
• La Salle picked up where it left off with three straight points to start the third. The Wildcats responded with a 9-1 run, but the Explorers battled back with an 8-4 jaunt of their own to put the score within one. Davidson tallied a point to back up a pair, but it couldn't stop what was to come next: an 8-1 rally by the Blue & Gold, highlighted by four kills from Corah. Although the home side would bring the game within three, five straight point for La Salle sealed a road win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Categorically dominant: The Explorers had the advantage in every team category, winning the points, kills, aces, blocks, assists and digs battles.
• Senior Kathryn Wood tied her three-set season-high with 37 assists; she also added six digs.
• Corah kills: The outside hitter's kill tally was three shy of her season high and three shy of a program record over three sets. The 19 kills also tie her career-high in a three-set match.
• Freshman watch: The rookie duo of Rachel Hess and Guisti were at it again. Hess led all players with 15 digs, while Guisti tallied a game-high five total blocks, while finishing with six kills (good for third on the team) and a .455 hitting percentage.
• Junior Samantha Graver has a penchant for recording double-doubles, and when she doesn't, she normally gets pretty close to one. Today was no exception: The number seven finished second on the team in kills and digs with nine each.

UP NEXT

• A home opener at last! The Explorers will host George Mason on Friday at 7 p.m. and George Washington at 1 p.m. on Sunday.