The Lady Eagles dropped a fifth set decision to the Running Eagles Tuesday night in Tine Davis Gymnasium 3-2 (25-12, 18-25, 19-25, 26-24, 15-12) in the final non-conference game at home.

After never finding its groove in the first set, Faulkner bolted to a 10-3 lead out of the gate in set two. Life clawed back into the set, drawing the score within one, before the hosts knotted the match on the tail of a 9-3 run.

The third set stayed within three points until a 7-1 Lady Eagle burst instigated at 18-all. Faulkner held the lead through the first two thirds of the fourth set but conceded the lead with a five point run from the vistiors. With sights set on closing the match in four, the Lady Eagles staved off two set points to equalize the score at 24, but two kills from the Running Eagles forced the fifth set. 

Both sides traded points for the first eight rallies before Life found the break with three straight in the final set. Faulkner could not force a tie or regain the lead the rest of the set and dropped the third of the three meetings between the two teams this year.

Mallory Black accounted for 12.5 points with 10 kills and five assisted blocks. Madison Sides contributed nine kills off the bench. Reigning SSAC Defender of the Week Julianne Wilkes had 33 digs. Alyssa Stagner assisted 37 kills. 

Faulkner travels to Mt. Vernon, Ga. to face Brewton-Parker Friday at 7 p.m. eastern.