MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner (10-4, 1-1 SSAC) utilized a 12-0 run in the first set to triumph over the Stillman Tigers (0-2 SSAC) at Tine Davis Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles only needed three sets to shut down the visitors, who mustered 19 total points (25-3, 25-11, 25-5).
Faulkner held the Tigers to a -.135 hitting percentage on the afternoon, while tallying a .408 mark. The Lady Eagles dominated the stat sheet in every aspect, leading in aces 12-1, kills 35-7 and assists 28-5.
"Our big focus today was staying disciplined and true to what we've been working on and not varying the style of our play based off our opponent," Coach
Tori Renda said. "So, I thought that we did and handled everything we asked them to do very well."
A service run from
Alexis McInroy started Faulkner off strong with 12 points in a row. In the span, Faulkner had six kills, three of which were from
Molly Presnell. Presnell and McInroy worked together and concluded the set with two aces and a kill, respectively.
Faulkner struck again first in the second set via error. The Eagles and Tigers fought neck and neck for a few points, until a kill from
Hannah Bryan and a service ace by
Ellie Cyr. Midway through the second, Faulkner held the lead 15-8 amid a run during
Elisa Landry's service duty.
"Our subs came in and did a fantastic job and kept the same tone and the same pace and that's all I can ask for," Renda said.
Although Stillman had the opening point in the third set, Faulkner steadily took the upper hand and came out victorious. During the opening run that put the Eagles on top,
Kolbi Bates had three aces. A service run by
Sarah Boyd lengthened Faulkner's lead to 15-4. An error provided Stillman's last point of the game before Faulkner put the nail in the coffin with a 10-point run, three of which were aces by
Macy Kemper.
Bryan and Cyr, making her Faulkner debut, led the team with 15 combined kills.
Mandi Hart provided 15 of the 28 assists during the match. Bates and Kemper each contributed three aces. Hart and Bates also headed the Eagles defensively with 10 combined digs. Of the team leaders, three were freshmen.
"I think it gives us a little bit of confidence, a shot in the right direction, knowing that anybody can step in and take care of the same game. That's really helpful to know that the strength is there on the sidelines. Going into William Carey and Mobile during the week, it will give us the confidence we need to go ahead and push," Renda said.
The Lady Eagles stay home next week for two big conference matches against William Carey on September 13 and Mobile September 15.
