MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner's hitting percentage dipped back well under the .200 mark leaving the home team with few responses to Bethel's (Tenn.) offensive attack in tonight's Southern States Athletic Conference showdown here at Tine Davis Gymnasium. The Wildcats (8-3, 2-1 SSAC) outpaced the Lady Eagles for the better part of two sets to claim the victory 25-16, 25-19, 26-24.

Faulkner (4-9, 3-1 SSAC) repeatedly sabotaged itself throughout set one and wasted little time in doing so. The Lady Eagles blew three of their first four serves and went on to give 11 points away on errors in the first set alone. Three consecutive blunders at the 14-14 mark helped elevate the hot-hitting Wildcats into a permanent lead and early decision.

The second set started off better than the first but erratic defensive play prevented most of Faulkner's attacks from fully formulating. Tight and timid passing left the setters scrambling to make use of their hitters, meanwhile the Wildcats were having free reign at the net. 

Despite the biggest point deficit of the night, Faulkner managed to gain some traction and capitalize, for a change, on a series of Bethel miscues. The Lady Eagles sparked a 7-2 run while trailing 20-11 to pull the set within four points, but the gap never closed further.

In an effort to change the look and move more power to the outside attack, Faulkner switched from a 5-2 offense in favor of a 5-1 with Krystalynn Leomiti offering the hard arm that was somewhat vacant at the far pin. The mixup proved effective as the home team pushed the do-or-die set into extended points.

Katie Musser was explosive from behind the baseline opening the final set with three consecutive aces en route to a 4-0 start. Bethel fought back quickly, however, driving the set into a dead heat for the better part of the bout and pair of intelligent hitting decisions at the 24-24 mark ultimately did the Lady Eagles in.

"The intensity is there in hot and cold pockets," said head coach Tori Bartels. "It's not consistent. In order for us to succeed long term we have to be able to put the pieces together and keep our energy for more than five to seven points and then tapering off. Offensively we have to do a better job of putting the ball away and being smart with our attacks."

Faulkner had 25 errors on the night which played millstone around the neck of the offensive assault. The home team hit just .096 as a whole while the Wildcats struck .211.

The Lady Eagles edged the visitors on the block seven to six.

Eloisa Sales was the weapon of choice for Bethel. The senior had 15 kills to led the floor and hit .250 in the process. She also added 18 kills and three block assists.

Faulkner was spearheaded by Alysa Klassen who tallied six kills, hitting .222. She added three block assists.

Tori Marchant was the most efficient Lady Eagle on the night with five kills hitting .385. She also anchored the front row with four total blocks.

Leomiti contributed six assists, five digs and had three kills.

Musser finished the game with 19 assists, four digs and three aces.

Libero Julianne Wilkes had 16 digs.

Faulkner will resume work in in the Huntingdon Hawk Invitational tomorrow when it opens play with Pensacola Christian at 11 a.m. The Lady Eagles will cap the five-match weekend against Huntingdon at 7 p.m.