LEBANON, Tenn. - Untimely errors spotted the day for the Lady Eagles as they opened the season with three set losses to Keiser (Fla.) and Saint Mary (Kan.) at the Phoenix Classic hosted by Cumberland University Friday.

KEISER 3, FAULKNER 0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-12)

The Seahawks jumped ahead early and fought off a second set charge from Faulkner as the first game and early morning caused some troubles for the Montgomery-based squad. 

Keiser, playing in their eighth match of the season already, jumped ahead 9-1 in the 8 a.m. start time in the first set and the deficit was too much to overcome. 

The second set featured a great battle back from an early 6-2 deficit on an 8-1 run for Faulkner to take its first lead of the season. The Seahawks hung in though, eventually tying the set at 20-20 where the Floridians rattled off the next five points with three aces to take set two. They then took the momentum into the third set where they ran away from a 12-9 lead to make it 21-9 and make the mountain too high to climb.

Jaylyn Strength led the team with 13 digs in her debut as libero. Mandi Hart totaled 11 assists. 

SAINT MARY 3, FAULKNER 0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19)

Slow starts in two of the three sets proved to be too much to overcome for Faulkner against the Leavenworth, Kansas-based side. 

The Spires started the match 5-0 before increasing their lead to six. Faulkner kept chipping away, but could not get it within two. 

Faulkner and Saint Mary traded punches in the second set before a 5-0 Spire run took the opposition into cruise control to end the set. 

The third set started 8-1 in favor of the Leavenworth team, but Faulkner thrice brought it to a one point set but could not tie it. 

Hart led the team in assists again with 13 assists and also led in digs with nine while Ellie Cyr added 12 assists. 

The Lady Eagles look to bounce back Saturday evening with a 5:00 p.m. matchup with SSAC foe William Carey in nonconference action before taking on the hosts Cumberland at 7:30 p.m.
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