WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Faulkner's newcomers made a great first impression as senior leadership led the way in an impressive first day ending in a split after dropping a tight contest with Keiser and sweeping Georgetown.
KEISER 3, FAULKNER 1 (25-23, 14-25, 25-21, 25-22)
The early morning effects appeared as Faulkner fell behind by 17-7 in the first set before going on a 16-7 run to get within one point of extra points, but Keiser closed it out. However, Faulkner cruised on the momentum to a dominating second set, hitting 17 kills at an absurd .577 attacking percentage as
Molly Presnell and
Hannah Bryan combined for 11 kills.
Four attack errors after tied at 20 in the third set gave Keiser the match lead 2-1 but the Lady Eagles jumped to a 12-6 lead in the fourth and looked poised to force a fifth, but the Seahawks chipped away before knotting the set up at 19 each. The hosts were able to find the difference-making points and prevent a fifth set in their first of four matches in the day.
Presnell's 19 kill debut marked the highest individual total since the conference tournament championship game in 2018 when Daijah Washington recorded 21. She completed her double-double with 11 digs.
Mandi Hart also turned in a debut double-double with a team high 23 assists and 10 digs.
Alexis McInroy totaled 15 digs and 11 kills.
Alyssa Stagner picked up 20 assists. New libero
Macy Kemper led the floor with 21 digs.
FAULKNER 3, GEORGETOWN 0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-19)
Faulkner cruised past the Tigers with a dominant performance to head to a 1-1 record. The defense stood tall holding Georgetown to a .073 attack percentage while serving eight aces.
The Lady Eagles appeared more rested against the fresh Georgetown squad who opened their season against Faulkner. Leading 20-10, the birds closed the first set with a 5-0 run to seal a set with a .467 attack clip.
Georgetown jumped to a 6-3 lead in the second, but
Hannah Bryan took over. The sophomore outside hitter tallied five kills in a 7-0 run with a couple Presnell aces scattered. Georgetown clawed back to take a 17-14 lead before a 11-1 run placed Faulkner in the driver's seat with a 2-0 match lead. Trailing 11-8 in the third, the Lady Eagles embarked on a 12-2 run to put the match out of reach despite a late charge from the Tigers.
Bryan led the way with nine kills in the contest to finish the day with 19 kills at .250 attack percentage. Presnell and Owings each had seven with Owings hitting a .429 percentage on 14 attacks. Presnell finished the day with 26 kills on a .305 percentage and four aces.
Elisa Landry led the team with 10 digs.
Mandi Hart paced the floor with 22 assists.
The Chick-Fil-A Classic concludes for the Lady Eagles tomorrow with a 3 p.m. contest with Trinity Christian and a 7 p.m. contest against No. 18 College of Saint Mary.
