Philadelphia, PA – Opening the 2004 Atlantic 10 home volleyball season Friday night at Tom Gola Arena, the La Salle Explorers faltered against the visiting Xavier Musketeers and drop to 7-12 overall and 0-3 in conference action, while the Musketeers move above .500 at 9-8 and improve to 3-1 in the Atlantic 10.

The Explorers saw their lone lead of game one after the first point of the game. The Musketeers tied the game at 1-1 and never looked back. After amassing a six point lead at 14-8, La Salle rallied to bring the game to within two at 17-15, but after a Xavier timeout, the Musketeers pulled away and claimed a 30-22 advantage.

Game two started out as a carbon copy of game one, with the Explorers seeing their only lead at 1-0. Xavier mounted a eight point lead at 16-8, and although the Explorers got the score to 18-14, the Musketeers broke away and claimed game two 30-19.

In game three, the Musketeers earned the first point, but La Salle actually saw a lead. The Explorers took a one point lead before trading points for several plays with the Musketeers before La Salle notched back-to-back points to earn a two point lead at 10-8 and again at 12-10. Xavier saw its first lead of the game at 14-13, but the Explorers tied once more. Once the Musketeers took the lead at 15-14, La Salle was done for the night as Xavier took the match after a 30-20 victory in game three.

Samantha Takacs (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) led the Explorers on offense with 11 kills and Kristen Kelsey (Buda, TX/Jack C. Hays) was close behind with nine kills of her own. Senior Amanda Woods (Cincinnati, OH/McNicholas) assisted on 31 of La Salle's 37 kills.

On defense, senior Caitlin DeJong (Lansing, IL/Marian Catholic) tallied a match-high 16 digs. At the net, sophomore Kara Branz (Streator, IL/Streator Township) posted La Salle's lone solo block and had a hand in the Explorers' other two blocks.

Xavier's Danielle Skrawjewski (Downingtown, PA/Villa Maria Academy) led all players with 12 kills, and Astyn Bjorklund (Nicollet, MN/Sibley East) knocked down an additional 10 kills for the Musketeers.

On defense, libero Jordan Brightwell (Louisville, KY/Assumption) posted 14 digs, while Carley Horvath (Caledonia, MI/East Kentwood) added 12.

Up next for the Explorers will be the Dayton Flyers on Saturday, October 9th. The match gets underway at 5:00 p.m., but come early as the Explorer athletic department and volleyball team honor seniors Caitlin DeJong, Amanda Woods and Lauren Woods.