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Faulkner Invitational Results: Schedules and Scores
Win over Lady Vikings eludes Eagles in final showdown
The Eagles try to turn things around in the second set
November 6The Eagles took the court for the final time in the regular season tonight to battle former Southern States Athletic Conference foe Berry College. For five seniors it was the final time they would play on their home court and the evening was filled with mixed emotions. The team and fans gathered to honor the seniors, but the night ended bitter sweat as the home team failed defeat their long-time rival. The Lady Vikings dropped the first set, but secured the victory 23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-19.
Senior Jessik Robinson drills for a kill against Berry College
Faulkner looked strong in the opening set. They were hitting the ball well, were scrappy defensively and failed to let a few points in either direction break their concentration. The team climbed out of a small deficit to regain the lead late in the set and moved on to the win.
Kari Wiggins leads the back row in the final home game of the season
In the second set things failed to click. Over passes plagued the defense and kept the offense from organizing a consistent workflow. The team rallied late to bring the match within four points, but could never pull ahead.
The Seniors are surrounded by family and teammates
The seniors are honored during the break
Kari Wiggins reads the poem she prepared for the seniors during Senior Night
During the intermission between sets two and three the team honored its largest senior class in over five years. Five seniors, Kimber Holt, Samantha Talley, Shaleen Knight, Jessika Daniels and LaTanya Daniels were presented with gifts, letters and memory boxes from the team and coaching staff. Junior defensive specialist Kari Wiggins read a poem that she had prepared for the group that had the players and the entire gym laughing. It was an emotional tribute with friends and family gathering to honor the players that have meant so much to the program over their careers.
Neysa Hernandez lights it up at the net for the Eagles
Shaleen Knight sets a slide in Friday's match
Maddie Brinkely picks up a dig against the Lady Vikings
After the break the Eagles tried to return to work, but still struggled to find consistency. Faulkner’s play was sprinkled with hard kills and smart tips, but nothing that forced the Lady Vikings onto their heals.
Berry, on the other hand, played exceptionally well on the front row and the quick set to Stephanie Post caused problems for the Eagle defense all night. The birds did a better job of sealing her off in game four, but it was too little to late as the visitors took the match.
Jessika Robinson and Samantha Talley are a powerful force in the second set
Abbie Melvin works on the perfect pass in set three
Lerin Hoback sends a pass to the setter in the second set
Post finished the evening with 12 kills hitting .364. The Lady Vikings were led on both sides of the ball by Leah Thompson who had a staggering 19 kills (.313) and 24 digs - both team highs for the night.
Robinson led Faulkner’s offense with 11 kills hitting .300. The senior also had five digs and a block. Sophomore Nesya Hernandez also had a great outing hitting .219 with 10 kills, while picking up eight digs and two blocks.
Samantha Talley finds an open lane the opening set
The Eagle defense was extremely busy on the night with Wiggins leading the way with 21 digs. Maddie Brinkley finished the night with 15 digs followed by Wendy Riley with 14 and Abbie Melvin with 12.
Knight had 29 assists and added five kills and a pair of digs.
The Eagles regular season closes at 5-24 (3-9 SSAC) overall and they now await the conference tournament set to begin next Friday, Nov. 13.
