PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Volleyball team split a pair of Southern States Athletic Conference matches this weekend to continue its hot start to the 2017 season.

The RedHawks (10-4, 3-1 SSAC) dropped a three-set contest at the University of Mobile (Ala.) on Friday, but bounced back with a five-set thriller versus Faulkner (Ala.) University on Saturday.

Mobile (Ala.) 3, Martin Methodist 0: (11-25, 18-25, 17-25)

The second weekend of conference play started on a rough note for the RedHawks, who were swept by the Rams (16-3, 3-0) – a team that is currently receiving votes in the NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The RedHawk attack struggled in the loss with 22 kills on 115 total attacks. Sabrie Sirmones led the RedHawks with seven kills on 34 total attacks.

Sydney Arnold led the RedHawks with 19 of the team's 21 assists. Belen Albertos Acensio led the way defensively with 15 total digs. Arnold helped on the defensive end as well with seven digs in the loss.

Martin Methodist 3, Faulkner (Ala.) 0: (22-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 15-10)

Saturday's contest saw the RedHawks rebound for a five-set thriller versus conference rival Faulkner University. The RedHawks and Eagles (9-5, 2-2) played four tightly contested sets with neither side able to win by more than three points.

In the fifth and final set, however, the RedHawks were able to grind out just enough of an advantage and hold off the home side for the five-set victory.

Sabrie Sirmones (24), Brittney Pepitone (17) and Sophia Paes (14) led the RedHawks in kills – with all three setting their new career single-game high marks.

Sydney Arnold led the RedHawks with a whopping 61 total assists – 20 more than her previous season high set versus Milligan (Tenn.) College earlier this season.

Belen Albertos Acensio (30), Arnold (14), Katelyn Wear (11) and Samantha Davenport (11) all finished with double-digit digs on the defensive side of play for the RedHawks.