TALLADEGA, Ala. - Faulkner overcame a slow start Saturday in its final regular season contest against Talladega to win the next three sets after dropping the first to take a 3-1 win into the conference tournament.

The Tornadoes struck 16 kills and blocked four Faulkner attacks in the first set to take a match lead, but Faulkner's attack woke up in set two, hitting a blistering .440 on 11 kills led by Molly Presnell's six. Faulkner looked to be cruising to a set three win and the match advantage leading 19-7 when the Tornadoes spun back with an outrageous 12-2 run to cut Faulkner's advantage to three but a Presnell kill and a couple of Mallory Black kills closed the seesaw set. 

Tied at 17 in the fourth, Hannah Bryan struck back-to-back kills to give Faulkner the lead before the Tornadoes struck four errors between Black and Presnell kills to keep Faulkner undefeated against Talladega. 

Presnell, affectionately nicknamed "the Flying Albino," celebrated National Redhead Day with 17 kills and 12 digs for her 18th double-double of the year. She has 379 kills on the season and is 21 kills from becoming the first Lady Eagle to eclipse 400 in a season since Brittany Harden's 442 in 2005. 

Bryan also completed a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs for her fifth of the year. Kolbi Bates scooped a career high 12 digs as libero in the win. 

Mandi Hart led the team with 19 assists to go over 500 for the season. Alyssa Stagner added 16 assists to bring her career total to 3687 where she currently sits fourth in program history behind Shaleen Knight's 3698. Just two Lady Eagles (Faulkner Hall of Famer Ashley Seng and Carrie Williams) have more than 3700 career assists. 

Charlee Jordan blocked five Tornado attacks to lead the team. 

The Lady Eagles now turn their attention to the SSAC Volleyball Championship where they will face Blue Mountain, Mobile and Middle Georgia in pool play.  Read Full Article