HENDERSON, Tenn. - Faulkner rebounded from a disappointing five-set loss yesterday to close the regular season on a positive note with a shutout of Freed-Hardeman 25-21, 25-21, 25-18 here this afternoon.

The Lady Eagles took over in the opening set and never relinquished control en route to their seventh straight-sets victory of the season.

Kelsey Bell once again led the offense and had 10 kills, hitting .273, in the match.

Sarah Stout hit .333 with seven kills and Brittnay Renfroe hit .375 with six kills and added three block assists.

Sara Ford had 14 assists on the day and Morgan Wilson had 13 and added six digs.

Katie Martin and Elissa Cargile each offered up six digs as well.

"This was a very, very big win for us," said head coach Tori Bartels. "We played in close sets and never lost our composure. When we played Freed in our Invitational earlier this season, we played well early and then they ran away with it. That didn't happen today. This was a great way to end the regular season and will provide us with a surge of momentum going into the conference tournament next week."

Bartels is an alumna of Freed-Hardeman and the victory marks the first time in seven matches that she's defeated Todd Humphrey, her former coach.

Faulkner closed the regular season at 15-14 overall. 

The Lady Eagles' efforts in league action this year secured them a spot in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament. The event will see nine teams competing in three pools of three teams each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to bracket play. The tournament will begin Thursday at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex here in Montgomery. Pairings and times will be announced this week.