MONTGOMERY, Ala. - For the second time in as many games Faulkner was looking to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit with a win, but the diversified Mobile attack proved too much in the pool play finale here in the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. The Rams took the event 25-10, 25-14, 23-25, 23-25, 15-11.

To say the the Lady Eagles got off to a late start is an understatement. Mobile entered the match firing on all cylinders and in rapid fashion while Faulkner struggled with numerous hitting errors, defensive blunders and diminished confidence.

By set three, however, the birds found new life and the surge in energy seemed to catch the Rams off guard. Faulkner let Mobile creep up on a marginal lead late in the bout, but it wasn't enough to short-circuit the Lady Eagles' momentum.

That tempo spilled over into the third set, but Mobile managed to gain a noticeable advantage deep into play.  Faulkner sparked a crucial 6-0 run behind the serving arm of Alysa Klassen while trailing 21-17 and ultimately held the Rams to just two more points in the set to even the match at 2-2.

Mobile went on to prove the dominant force in the outing, however, and never relinquished control in the do-or-die fifth set.

The Rams were both efficient and impressive offensively with five players tallying double-digit kills while hitting .302 overall. The team also had 10 service aces to Faulkner's two.

The Lady Eagles did managed to out-blocking Mobile 14 to eight, but it wasn't enough to off-set the scattered Ram assault.

The local crew couldn't have asked for more form its middles on the night. Brittnay Renfroe led on both sides of the ball with 12 kills (.333) and eight total blocks while Klassen logged 11 kills (,240) with six total blocks and eight digs.

Sarah Dubberley followed with nine kills and had four digs and a block assist.

Morgan Wilson offered up 25 assists in the match and Jordan Jones had 11.

Lindsey Ortner had 10 digs and Cassie Bailie added eight. Each defensive specialist had a service ace as well.

"We were not ready to go when play started tonight," said head coach Tori Bartels. "We were just not in it. Once we started to connect though, things picked up quickly. I just wish we'd clicked sooner. We could have easily let them run us down in straight sets, but we didn't. We're still alive in the tournament and that's saying something. We have plenty of fight left and I look forward to what we can bring to the table tomorrow afternoon."

Faulkner (24-11) finished second in its pool (2-1) behind Mobile and will advance to the semifinals tomorrow. The Lady Eagles will take on top-seeded Coastal Georgia at 11 a.m. The Mariners are 3-0 against Faulkner so far this season. The winner of the match will advance to the championship to take on the winner of the Mobile-Dalton State matchup at 5 p.m. The event champion earns an automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament.