MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Lady Eagles opened the SSAC tournament against the top-seeded Loyola Thursday morning at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl downtown, but fell in straight sets in the first match of Pool A play.
Simone Tyson fueled the Wolf Pack's offense with 18 kills in three sets, including a run of three in four points to break open the first set to an 11-6 lead. However, the Lady Eagles would claw back and keep the set in reach, including a tie at 21-all. But Tyson took over again with three more kills in the closing stage. She ended the set with eight kills.
The Lady Eagles could not get a foothold in the second and third sets as Loyola took early control of the sets and would not relinquish.
Jordan Stewart shined defensively for Faulkner with 21 digs.
Hannah Bryan led the Lady Eagle attack with 10 kills as
Alyssa Stagner assisted 19 times. Stagner is now five assists from tying Katie Musser's career total of 3063 for fourth in program history.
The Lady Eagles (0-1 in Pool A) battle Mobile (1-0) Friday at 10 a.m. before closing the day at 3 p.m. against Brewton-Parker. The top two teams in the pool advance to the semifinals on Saturday.
