Eagles prevail in last minute heroics
Sept. 28, 2007
Waleska, Ga. – The Faulkner Eagles headed to northern Georgia this weekend to battle three conference rivals in a span of only two days. The first stop was Reinhardt College, a promising opponent that had taken Shorter College, currently ranked fourth in the SSAC, to five games earlier in the week. In a brilliant last minute performance Faulkner pulled out the match 23-30, 30-23, 30-25, 26-30, 16-14.
Not since the University of Mobile match back on Sept. 4 has the team had to push so mightily to pull out a victory. There have been some close matches since then, several going four or five games, but none with the same intensity or dramatic finish. It seems that the Eagles really shine in the heat of rigid competition and that is exactly where they found themselves with Reinhardt.
Reinhardt was the first team to strike taking game one 30-23. It was the Eagles’ lowest scoring game since the Mobile match. Faulkner returned the favor in game two knocking Reinhardt out 30-23 and took the lead with a 30-25 win in game three. Just as things started to look sunny for the Eagles, Reinhardt bounced back in game four 30-26, forcing game five.
Faulkner started game five a bit shaky and a after the switch Reinhardt looked to close the door for good as they set at match point 14-9 over the Eagles. Faulkner was able to battle out of the point and sent senior Marci Lobendahn to serve with the event still at match point 14-10. In a combination of brilliant serving and ferocious play the Eagles barreled forward with six unanswered points to win the game 16-14, clinching the match.
Lobendahn finished the match with 10 kills and an impressive six aces. Brittany Harden added another 12 kills and libero Carrie Butler recorded 30 digs. Setter Shaleen Knight offered up 36 assists.
Faulkner now moves on to play Berry College this evening at 6 p.m. central time. Will the Eagles be able to hold on to their 9 game winning streak as they face off against the number three team in the conference? Check back tonight for a full update.
Vitals: Eagles now 13-5 overall, 3-0 in the SSAC and 4-1 in Region XIII play.