Women's Volleyball | March 18, 2021

PHILADELPHIA – Volleyball returns to Tom Gola Arena this weekend in a showdown of the two teams atop the Atlantic 10 East. The Explorers (4-0) host Fordham (4-1, 4-0 in conference play) on Friday and Saturday. The first game is scheduled for 5 p.m.; the second game for 2 p.m and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
ABOUT THE EXPLORERS

• Freshman Isa Lopez is coming off her second A-10 Defensive Player of the Week award for her performances against George Mason and Rhode Island. Lopez leads the nation in digs per set 6.6.
• A few other Explorers also rank towards the top of the nation. Junior Elizabeth Osborn is second in points per set (5.77), third in attacks per set (13.67), and fifth in kills per set (5.2).
• Sophomore Sydney Stone checks in at 13th in the NCAA in aces per set (0.6), followed by freshman Yaiza Franco at 25th (0.53 aces per set) and redshirt sophomore Sarah Nahas at 46th (0.47 aces per set).
• Nahas has stood out this season while running the offense; she is 22nd in the country in assists per set (11.00).
• The Explorers have been absolutely lethal on the serve as a team, leading the nation with 2.67 per set.
• The Blue & Gold's perfect record makes it one of only 16 teams in D-I volleyball to remain undefeated at this point in the campaign.
• Additions new and old: La Salle's ranks will grow, starting this weekend. Senior defensive specialist Allison Laucella returns to the team, while the Blue & Gold welcomes freshman Michelle Kozicki, who is a center on the basketball team. Kozicki, standing at 6', will play as a middle blocker.

 
SCOUTING THE RAMS

• Fordham is perfect in conference play this year with its only loss coming to St. John's in the season opener.
• The Rams have posted impressive numbers defensively as a unit. They lead the nation in blocks per set (3.37) and check in 25th nationally (and first in the conference) in digs per set (18.00).
• Freshman Isabel Fichtel is Fordham's enforcer at the net and paces the country in blocks per set with 2.11.
• Sophomore Mallory Lipski keeps plays alive for the Rams, recording 5.53 digs per set – good for second in the A-10.
• On offense, freshman Whitley Moody is the threat to watch. She is second in the conference in attacks per set (11.84) and third in kills per set (4.26).
• Moody has won the last two Rookie of the Week awards, while Fichtel is coming of a Defensive Player of the Week nod.