MARIETTA, GA — The Life University women's volleyball team celebrated Senior Night with a 3-1 match win over Faulkner University Friday evening. The Running Eagles dropped the first set 26-24 before rallying back to win three consecutive sets to best the Eagles 3-1.
In the first set, the two teams were deadlocked with neither team able to break away and win the set before extra points. To begin the contest, the Running Eagles (11-11, 8-9 SSAC) grabbed an initial lead midway through the set as kills by Fayola Louis and Morgan Furness extended Life University's lead to 16-10.
A rally from the Eagles saw eight consecutive points fall in favor of the visiting team as Faulkner claimed an 18-16 lead before Life University used a timeout. Neither team was then able to break away as the set was all knotted at 23 apiece before a kill and a Life U. attacking error put the Eagles up 25-24. An ensuing Faulkner kill concluded the opening frame, 26-24.
The second set started with Faulkner scorching ahead to a 9-5 lead before kills by seniors Lena Pucnik and Madison Lee narrowed the gap to 9-7. Life University then overtook the Eagles later in the set, 16-14, as Fayola Louis fueled a 6-1 run with four consecutive kills. The Running Eagles leveled the match with a 25-17 second set win.
After the uber-competitive third set again fell in favor of Life University, it was again a mid to late rally by the Running Eagles that extended the lead. With momentum leaning more and more in favor of the Running Eagles, Faulkner was unable to claw back at what felt like an insurmountable margin. Life University claimed the 25-18 set win to move the contest to match point.
The final set of the night didn't begin in favor of Life U., but after dropping the opening point, the Running Eagles rallied five consecutive points to go ahead 5-1. Refusing to go down without a fight, Faulkner then tallied five consecutive points back to reclaim the lead, 6-5. The two teams traded point for point over the next 20 combined before Life University gained its final lead of the contest at 16-15, and never looked back.
In the end, Life U. finalized the statement win with a kill from Cassidy Lee set up by her senior sister Madison Lee en route to the 25-21 final set win.
TURNING POINT:
— After dropping the opening set out of the gate, Life University was dominant with three consecutive set wins.
SENIOR STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
— Seniors Morgan Furness and Lena Pucnik combined for 20 kills in the contest.
— Senior Fayola Louis tied a career-high of 23 kills in the four-set win.
— Senior Madison Lee finished the night with 40 assists.
Up next, the Running Eagles will host William Carey tomorrow for the final regular season contest of the 2022 season. The first serve is slated for 1 pm.
