MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner went toe-to-toe with one of the hottest teams in the country Saturday at Tine Davis Gymnasium but fell 3-2 (25-20, 20-25, 25-16, 15-25, 15-13) to Blue Mountain in the penultimate home conference game. 

The battle Saturday on paper was as close as possible with total score count running 100-99. Through nearly 400 attack attempts total, Blue Mountain hit just .005 percent higher with four more kills. On total points won, Faulkner has only been outscored by the top two teams in the SSAC (Blue Mountain and Loyola) by a total of eight points at home. 

After a 4-1 Topper lead to start the fifth, the Lady Eagles chipped away at the deficit before eventually taking a 12-10 lead. With Faulkner leading the fifth set 12-11, Tori Walker took over for the Toppers. Walker closed the match with three kills and a block. She ended with a match-high 21 kills. 

Faulkner's attack fired on all cylinders in the fourth set with 16 kills for a .353 attack percentage as a 7-1 run pushed a three point set into a nine-point advantage to force the fifth. 

Alyssa Stagner and Alysa Vinson backed up their fantastic Friday performances with stellar Saturdays. Stagner turned in a 47 assist, 20 dig performance and two aces while Vinson had a 15 kill, 15 dig and two ace day. Close to Vinson's numbers on the attack stood Hannah Bryan with 12 and Haven Owings with 11-- trying a career-high for Owings. Jordan Stewart ended with 19 digs. Alexis McInroy led the block with four.

As a team, Faulkner had seven blocks and dozens of strong block-backs that were rescued by the Toppers.  

The Lady Eagles sit in fifth, tied with Talladega but owning the tiebreak. There is a three-game spread between the tie on either side with three matches to play. 

Faulkner travels to Brewton-Parker Friday night to take on the Barons. First serve is set for 6 p.m. central.