MARIETTA, Ga. - Faulkner (8-10, 3-3 SSAC) fell behind the 8-ball early and couldn't make up ground as Life (12-5, 2-3 SSAC) won in a sweep (25-15, 25-18, 25-14) at the Upper Gym on Friday evening.
The Running Eagles dominated the stat sheet, tallying 45 kills to Faulkner's 22 and winning the hitting battle .272 to .039, including .308 to .079 in the first set and .458 to -.036 in the final one.
Jadyn Walters and Medney Garraux tied for the match lead with 11 kills. Kya Colston, the conference leader in hitting with a .460 season average, lived up to the billing with seven kills on a .500 day. She and Garraux each had five blocks, as did Taelynn Epple. Garraux and Mia Goldbach tied for the team lead with 10 digs. Starting libero Rylie Springer scooped eight attacks in the first set before having to be carted out of the gym with an injury just 17 rallies into the game, and Gianna DeVarenne relieved her with eight digs of her own. Vitoria Reis and Emily Warner assisted 16 and 13 kills, respectively.
Jakaya Smith led Faulkner with eight kills and three blocks to go with seven digs. Deem scored five kills. Caroline Sticker led the team with 12 digs and added four kills. Chasity Broadhead and Olivia Kelly put up nine and eight assists, respectively.
Faulkner stays in Georgia but just barely as they travel to Point tomorrow with a 12 pm CT first serve for the first installment of the volleyball portion of the 2026-27 Battle of I-85 rivalry.
