MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner (19-14) sandwiched a disappointing second set amidst three quality wins to earn the 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, 25-16 victory over Brenau (9-22) here in pool play action on Day 1 of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex downtown.

Faulkner opened play with excellence. The Eagles were fluid, smart, aggressive and poised in the game one win. The biggest obstacle the team faced was closing the door at set point when they allowed the Golden Tigers to gain some traction.

Set 2 was a different matter altogether. Everything seemed to unravel in chaotic fashion for the birds. Splits in the block, missed assignments and overly exhaustive scrambling reigned supreme as Faulkner struggled to assign order to madness. 

The game wasn't without its high points, but they were peppered throughout play rather than comprising the backbone of the system.

By the 12-12 mark in the third bout, Faulkner had again found its rhythm. Spearheading the shift was the aggressive swing of Cassie Bailie and the brutal block anchored by Alysa Klassen, Tori Marchant and Krystalynn Leomiti.

Once back in control. Faulkner never really floundered.

The Lady Eagles had 11 team blocks in the outing and hit .256 as a unit.

Bailie recorded her sixth double-double of the season boasting 15 digs and 14 kills while hitting .414.

Klassen followed with 10 kills, hitting .292, and added six total blocks.

Leomiti was stellar for the Lady Eagles offering up 18 assists, seven kills and four total blocks.

Kiki Coombs also added seven kills, hitting .417, and had three total blocks.

Marchant had six kills, hitting, .429, and had four total stops.

Daijah Washington also tallied six kills and matched Bailie's 15 digs.

Katie Musser had 30 assists and eight digs on the day while Julianne Wilkes had 17 digs.

Faulkner returns to pool play tomorrow. The Lady Eagles will face off against Martin Methodist at 10 a.m. followed by Mobile at 5 p.m.