Faulkner controlled the defensive side of the net en route to a 25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 25-22 victory over the Lady Toppers in the inaugural meeting between the programs Friday night in an SSAC matchup. 11 blocks with numerous block-backs kept Blue Mountain defending their own attacks throughout the night. Kortney Barnes (JR/Mobile, Ala.) helped reject seven Lady Topper attacks to lead the charge. Madison Sides (SR/Spring Garden, Ala.), Daijah Washington (SR/Tallahassee, Fla.) and Mallory Black (SO/Murfreesboro, Tenn.) each aided on four. 

The Lady Eagles jumped to a 7-1 lead before letting the guests knot the opening frame at nine. A midset 10-2 run propelled Faulkner to take the first set. Blue Mountain responded with ferocity after the first set, jumping to a 5-0 lead with three aces from Lainey Jackson. The advantage would not be compromised with the hosts only able to cut the spread to as little as three. 

After splitting the first two sets, Tori Bartels spurred her squad to a dominant third set forcing the Lady Toppers into 11 errors in the first 15 points and 14 in the set. The defending league champions staved a comeback effort from the newest SSAC team in the fourth set. Faulkner was unable to pull away from Blue Mountain with the differential improving to a maximum of four points, but held on for the win.

Barnes also lead the team in kills with 11 kills. Alexis McInroy (FR/Elberta, Ala.) struck seven kills as a substitute. Julianne Wilkes (SR/Deatsville, Ala.) paced the floor with 18 digs. Alyssa Stagner (SO/Sneads, Fla.) turned in another double-double with 23 assists and 15 digs. 

Blue Mountain's trio of Carissa Mulford, Saige Blanton and Julianna Taylor combined for 33 of the side's 48 kills. Serving was the proverbial sword by which the Lady Toppers lived and died by with 11 aces and 13 service errors. 

The Lady Eagles welcome Bethel to Tine Davis Gymnasium for the last time as an SSAC foe Saturday at 1 p.m.