by Ryan Bartels

McKENZIE, Tenn. - Faulkner (14-9, 6-6 SSAC) overcame a 2-1 deficit to force the do-or-die fifth set, but Bethel (12-13, 8-4 SSAC) fended off a Lady Eagle comeback late in the frame to secure the Southern States Athletic Conference victory 23-25, 25-18, 25-14, 18-25, 15-12 here this evening.

After trading out wins in the first four games of the bout, Faulkner found itself trailing 11-6 in the 15-point finale. The birds wedged three kills among a pair of Wildcat errors to tie the contest at 11-all, but the home team answered with three straight points to usher in the evening win and season sweep.

Krystalynn Leomiti was the kill leader for the Lady Eagles with 13, while hitting .343. She also added eight digs and four block assists.

Kortney Barnes registered the lion's share of the team's 13 total blocks with nine assists. The freshman was second offensively with 11 kills.

Madison Sides tallied eight kills, hitting .400.

Setter Katie Musser secured a double-double with 46 assists and 11 digs.

The back row was paced by libero Julianne Wilkes who had 18 digs.

Ashley Ingwersen followed with 16 and Cassie Bailie matched Musser with 11. Ingerwersen also had four kills.

Faulkner resumes SSAC action tomorrow in Pulaski, Tennessee, against Martin Methodist at 2 p.m.