by Ryan Bartels

MACON, Ga. - Faulkner (9-6, 2-3 SSAC) desperately needed to snap the recent trend in Southern States Athletic Conference event outcomes with a road win this evening here against Middle Georgia State (5-7, 2-3 SSAC). The Lady Eagles did battle out of a 2-0 deficit, but squandered a set-point opportunity in the potential match-tying contest to fall 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 26-24.

The visitors never led in the opening set, but controlled the tempo to the 21-20 mark in the ensuing showdown where the Knights boasted a 5-1 surge thanks in large part to three Faulkner attack errors.

The Lady Eagles did the opposite in the third round, escaping a 23-21 predicament with four straight kills.

Then came the decisive final set where Faulkner led by three at set-point when the self-assault again crippled the offense. The Lady Eagles capped a 5-0 run by MGS with three straight errors.

"We don't know how to finish a match," said head coach Tori Bartels after the frustrating loss. "We pretty much single-handedly determined the outcome of the last three sets with our play and we lost two of them. In the win, we played aggressive and got the job done. In the other two, we handed them six of the 10 points they needed. We will not win if we don't eliminate errors and hold our ground. We also have to terminate the ball and not simply keep it in play."

Faulkner had 46 errors on the night which completely negated its 46 kills. Once again it was a strong defensive presents up front that kept the Lady Eagles in the mix. Faulkner out-blocked the Knights 10.5 to five over the four sets.

Krystalynn Leomiti continues to pave the way offensively and led the Lady Eagles with 12 kills, while hitting .310. The junior utility player also co-led the team with five block assists and added four digs.

Kirsten Carter and Madison Sides each added nine kills to the tally. Carter also had four each of block assists and digs and Sides offered up five digs.

Katie Musser delivered her third double-double of the year with 22 assists and 10 digs, while fellow setter Ariana Vannoy added 11 assists and eight digs.

Libero Julianne Wilkes spearheaded the back row with 22 digs.

Faulkner claimed a pair of five-set victories over William Carey and Loyola at home to kick off the conference season two weeks ago, but since then has struggled with energy and confidence. Every league matchup has been a genuine battle and that pace shows no signs of changing anytime soon.

The Lady Eagles sit one spot ahead of Brewton-Parker at that tail of the SSAC standings and the two teams will face-off tomorrow in Mt. Vernon. Faulkner hasn't lost to the Barons in eight years, but if one thing's certain, the conference isn't what it used to be and, at this point, anything is possible.

Mobile is clearly the early favorite, but every team, it seems, has improved tremendously from last year and no one should take any opponent for granted.

"Winning won't just happen," Bartels said. "It's something you have to seek out and fight for - period. And we're not fighting hard enough or long enough right now. Our intensity has been way too sporadic and our opponents are capitalizing on that. It's going to be a battle every time we step onto the floor. No team is going to just roll over and let you walk on them. I don't care what their record is or what they've done in the past. And if we don't come ready to play tomorrow, we shouldn't expect a different outcome. I know Brewton-Parker wants to win."

The Barons host the Lady Eagles tomorrow at 1 p.m. central.