MONTGOMERY, Ala. - After an opening round debacle yesterday against Brenau, the Lady Eagles showed up this morning with an entirely different mindset and level of tenacity. The Lady Eagles absolutely dominated play, dismantling Loyola (La.) in straight sets 25-19, 25-19, 25-15 here on Day 2 of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.

"This is the kind of play I expected from the team yesterday," said head coach Tori Bartels. "The pressure was on against Loyola to keep us in the post-season fight and the girls showed up and went to work. I couldn't be prouder of how they responded to the loss yesterday. We have a very big hurdle this evening in Coastal Georgia and I'm expecting this same team back in the gym tonight."

After a disappointing match yesterday where nothing seem to go right, it appeared that for the bulk of today's showdown the Lady Eagles could do little wrong. Even on plays that eventually went Loyola's way, Faulkner fought vigorously to the last possible minute. In short, the team was on fire.

Faulkner hit and impressive .333 as a unit while holding the Wolfpack to .038 and out-blocked Loyola 10 to three in team totals.

Alysa Klassen was the tip of the spear in the shutout hitting a staggering .765, a career high, with 14 kills. The junior first-team all-conference selection was no slouch on defense either with five total blocks.

Second-team all-SSAC outside hitter Hannah Shanley, who was the weapon of choice for Faulkner yesterday with 12 kills, followed with eight today while hitting .278 and tallying six digs.

Sarah Dubberley, the team's other first-team all-conference standout, added seven kills, five of which came in Set 3 alone. She also matched Klassen at the net with five total blocks and had four digs.

All-freshman team member Katie Musser had 21 assists and six digs in the match while Sarah Ford, who shifted from right side to setter about midway through the match, offered up 11 assists.

Defensive specialist Delricka Anthony anchored the Lady Eagle back line with nine digs and libero Cassie Bailie, also a second-team all-SSAC member, added eight.

Faulkner (22-13) will now anxiously await the outcome of the Loyola-Breanu match set for 3 p.m. A Loyola victory would give the Lady Eagles some breathing room if things should end up in a tie for second place at the close of business today. With three matches still remaining in the pool, anything is possible.

The Lady Eagles will next face top-seeded Coastal Georgia in the pool-play finale tonight at 5 p.m.