MONTGOMERY, Ala. - After nearly four weeks without a match, Faulkner (2-3, 1-0 SSAC) found its groove in the second set to take a 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17) win in its SSAC opener against Florida College (5-6, 0-1 SSAC) Thursday night at Tine Davis Gymnasium.

The Lady Eagles dominated the defensive net, racking up 10 blocks in the four-set tango between sides that have played thrilling matches in their short history together. Kortney Barnes led the team with six assisted blocks. Mallory Black tallied five, Alexis McInroy found four and Hannah Bryan chipped in three.

The first set showed the long layoff due to several late schedule changes. Faulkner's 14 attack errors helped the Falcons take the opening set. However, Head Coach Tori Renda's team flipped the script in the second set, killing 11 points to just four errors and blocking three Florida College spikes. The Lady Eagles commit just 12 attacking errors in the final three sets. 

Alysa Vinson dominated the third set, firing seven kills. Faulkner took control of the third set with a 7-1 run to overturn a 15-13 deficit into a 20-16 lead featuring the duo of Barnes and McInroy blocking two of three consecutive points. 

A 9-2 run in the middle of the fourth set pulled the Lady Eagles well out of reach of a visitors comeback opportunity, icing the match. The win snapped a three match losing streak against the league foe dating back to group play of the 2018 conference tournament.

Vinson led the team with 11 kills and completed the double-double with 11 digs. Alyssa Stagner also recorded a double-double with 18 assists and 14 digs. The lead setter's dig total tied for a team-best with libero Sarah-Gracen Watts. Macy Kemper and Bryan scooped double-digit digs as well. 

Faulkner plays host to Brewton-Parker Saturday at 1 p.m. for an SSAC matchup.