MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner returned to Southern States Athletic Conference action this afternoon when it hosted Belhaven at Tine Davis Gymnasium. The Lady Eagles were looking for a much-need rebounded after Friday's disappointing loss to Loyola and found just that. The teams traded wins throughout, but a steadfast Faulkner performance in the decisive fifth set clinched the victory 25-20, 19-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9.

The home team showed resilience early on when it dug itself out of a six-point rut just over half way through the opening set. It was fight Faulkner had struggled to muster in recent outings and proved crucial this afternoon in building confidence and momentum. The Lady Eagles tied the set at 20 points and went on a 5-0 run to pick up the win.

Faulkner held the lead for just a single point in the second set, despite closing several marginal gaps in the point total. 

Set three proved just the opposite. After climbing out of a narrow deficit early on, Faulkner blistered its way to a comfortable lead. The visitors inched their way back late, but were never able to regain control.

The fourth showdown was a back-and-forth battle throughout with no team leading by more than four until late in the contest. Belhaven appeared to have the set on lock with a 23-18 lead, but again Faulkner found confidence. The Lady Eagles sparked a 5-1 run, but a deep shot by the Blazers quenched the fire before it got out of control.

Despite the loss, the vigor carried over into set five for Faulkner. Belhaven posted two quick points, but once the home team found traction, there was little the Blazers could do to counteract the momentum.

The Lady Eagles ignited the scoreboard with eight unanswered points, seven behind the serving arm of Katie Martin. The teams then swapped bullets through mid-set, but Faulkner's three-point run at 12-9 ushered in the win.

Alysa Klassen (.267) and Kelsey Bell were the kill leaders for Faulkner with 12 each. Bell added 18 digs to the stat sheet while Klassen produced six total blocks and five digs.

Shelby Woods was outstanding at the net with 11 kills, hitting .233. The right side hitter also had seven total blocks and added five digs.

Elissa Cargile had nine kills in the match and also secured 18 digs.

Brittnay Renfroe's quick arm in the middle accounted for seven kills and she matched Klassen's six total blocks.

The Lady Eagles shifted the offensive set, electing to run a 5-1 around KK Lo. The setter tallied 48 assists on the day and had 12 digs.

Lindsey Ortner was the dig leader with 23.

"We changed a few things up on the court today," said head coach Tori Bartels, "but it was sheer determination that got us the victory. We found confidence and a little bit of healthy anger. I think the girls were tired of the way things have been going and finally broke out of that shell. Do I think were completely out of the woods yet? Absolutely not. But this was a key step in the right direction."

Faulkner moved to 5-6 on the season and 1-1 in the league. The team will next face a very talented Coastal Georgia team in SSAC action in Brunswick, Ga., on Sept. 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Gallery coming soon...