MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner earned the season split with Southern States Athletic Conference newcomer Dalton State here this afternoon when it blanked the Roadrunners 25-22, 25-14, 25-19.

Faulkner managed to improve on the already impressive numbers it posted in a straight-sets victory over Brenau on Friday. The Lady Eagles held Dalton State (11-10/7-7 SSAC) to just .081 hitting as a team and the home assault pummeled a defensive front that tallied zero blocks.

Faulkner, meanwhile, hit .230 as a unit and posted 10 total blocks on the day.

The home team led the bulk of a close race in the opening win, but dominated in the second set leading by as many as 12 points en route to the blowout.

The visitors tightened things up in the final bout, but the Lady Eagles maintained the momentum and began pulling away at the 11-11 mark.

Alysa Klassen was virtually unstoppable at the net for Faulkner. The sophomore middle led the team with seven kills while hitting .350 and tallied a career-tying high 10 total blocks to boot. Klassen set that mark in the home opener against Spring Hill this season, but those stops spanned a five-set battle.

Fellow middle Brittnay Renfroe hit .444 with six kills, while Sarah Ford and Sarah Dubberley logged five each and had three and two total blocks respectively.

Setting duties were again split between Morgan Wilson and Jordan Jones who had 15 and 10 respectively.

Lindsey Ortner led the back row in digs with 13 and Cassie Bailie added nine.

"This was another very, very important win for us," said head coach Tori Bartels. "Dalton State is a talented team and the beat us in four earlier this season. We needed to prove to ourselves that we can defeat teams that have taken us previously almost as much as we needed the victory. We only have three more conference games and the biggest one is coming up next."

Faulkner improved to 19-9 overall and 9-6 in the league. The Lady Eagles will next travel to Mobile. The Rams defeated the birds in four sets in their previous encounter. The rematch is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.