MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Martin Methodist Volleyball team saw a record-setting season come to an end Saturday with a 3-1 loss to Faulkner (Ala.) in the title match of the 2018 SSAC Volleyball Championship.

The RedHawks (22-12) advanced to their first-ever SSAC title match by virtue of two victories in their Pool Play contests. The RedHawks defeated Middle Georgia State, 3-0, in their opening match and followed up with a 3-1 victory versus University of Mobile (Ala.) in their second contest on Friday.

The wins advanced the RedHawks out of the Pool Play portion of the tournament for the first time in program history, setting the stage for their first-ever semifinal matchup.

The RedHawks would defeat Mobile (Ala.) for a second time, 3-1, in their semifinal to advance to their first-ever title game since joining the SSAC in 2013.

Faulkner (Ala.) 3, Martin Methodist 1:

In the title match versus Faulkner, the RedHawks took the opening set by a 25-23 margin. The second frame saw the tide turn in favor of the top-seeded Eagles, however, as they claimed a 25-18 victory. The third set proved to be the deciding frame with the Eagles claiming a 26-24 victory. Ahead by two sets, the Eagles closed out the match with a 25-9 victory in the fourth and final frame.

Individually, Sydney Arnold posted 43 assists and 22 digs, while Sabrie Sirmones added 16 digs and 13 kills. Hayley Brisendine led the RedHawk defense with 36 digs.

Kaitlyn Lund and Lauren Martin added 11 and 10 kills for the RedHawks, who hit .120 as a team.

After the tournament, Lund and fellow freshman Chandler Salvig were honored for their play and were named to the SSAC All-Tournament team.

For the tournament, Lund posted 36 kills and added 21 blocks. Salvig, meanwhile, posted 35 kills and hit .313 for the tournament.

In addition to their postseason success, the RedHawks posted 20-plus wins for a second straight season.

With the loss, the RedHawks also say farewell to three seniors: Sabrie Sirmones, Samantha Davenport and Katelyn Wear.