by Ryan Bartels

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner (13-8, 5-5 SSAC) started strong and overcame a flood of late-game errors to take down Middle Georgia State (7-11, 3-7 SSAC) 25-17, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19 here in Southern States Athletic Conference action at Tine Davis Gymnasium this evening.

The home team was aggressive offensively out of the starting block while phenomenal back row defense kept the quick-tempo Knight attack from registering heavy on the scoreboard in the opening set.

The Knights did make a solid run midway through the second game when Faulkner looked to rest the offense with some personnel changes, but the home team dug in its heals following a late timeout and rolled into a 2-0 advantage.

After trailing for just a single point in the first two sets, Faulkner struggled immensely in the subsequent bout. The home team had 14 errors and no blocks in the troublesome third and the points it did tally seemed difficult or where MGS giveaways.

The Knights, meanwhile, found a healthy dose of momentum that was further fed by the backpedaling home squad. The Knights never trailed en route to their lone win on the night.

The visitors proved tough in the final set as well and Faulkner continued to play too good a host by handing over four of the Knights' first six points courtesy of ongoing errors.

Despite the potentially devastating late-match statistics, the Lady Eagles crept into a the lead as they entered double-digit point territory and steered the ship on to victory lane.

"I'm happy with the win, it was one we really needed, but we had too many loose ends hurting us tonight and that's got to be the big takeaway," said head coach Tori Bartels after the contest. "We played aggressive and scrappy early and though I don't think we lost our hunger, we got a bit relaxed in the third set and they took advantage of that. We started making way, way too many errors, but lucky for us they had several as well and we had some time to find our rhythm again. We have to be more disciplined this late in the season."

Faulkner committed 44 errors in it's loss against the Knights three weeks ago, but only managed to cut that number to 36 this evening.

Leading the attack was Madelyn Cheatham who rifled 15 kills, hitting .242, while adding six digs and a block assist.

Kirsten Carter hit .440 with 14 kills while contributing a pair of digs and block assists.

Krystalynn Leomiti was back in action for Faulkner tonight and followed with 13 kills, while hitting with the same efficiency as Cheatham. The utility player also had seven digs and a pair of block assists.

Setter Katie Musser had a season-high 45 assists, edging her previous best of 44 dished up lest weekend. The junior also had 10 digs securing another double-double performance.

Libero Julianne Wilkes led the back line with 24 digs while middle blocker Tori Marchant followed with 12.

Faulkner will close out the home season tomorrow afternoon against SSAC opponent Brewton-Parker at 2 p.m. Cassie Bailie will then be honored in a special post-game Senior Day ceremony.