TALLADEGA, Ala. - Faulkner opened a three-match week Tuesday evening with an in-state showdown against Talladega. The Lady Eagles struggled little with the Tornados in the first two sets and survived a Talladega push in the third to secure the victory 25-16, 25-16, 25-22.

Senior right side hitter Ariel Riley was the kill leader for Faulkner with seven, hitting .286.

Senior outside Kelsey Bell batted a thousand going 6-for-6 on attack attempts and had two service aces and three digs.

Freshman middle Alysa Klassen hit .429 with four kills.

Dig totals were evenly distributed across the board with senior libero Lindsey Ortner, freshman Katelyn Sanders and sophomore Katie Martin each tallying five as the frontrunners.

Faulkner (4-5) opens conference play Friday evening when it hosts Loyola at 7 p.m. at Tine Davis Gymnasium.