Polk State Volleyball lost to No. 1 Miami Dade College, 3-0, on Saturday, Oct. 10, in Miami. The set scores were 26-24, 25-19 and 25-12. Polk State entered the match with a 0-19 overall record and an 0-8 mark in Citrus Conference play.
Polk State led most of the opening set, including a 9-4 advantage. Jasmine Mahoney and Kenzie Hyde contributed aces during the early run, and Mariana Castano recorded four kills in the set.
After Miami Dade College took a 19-18 lead, Polk State answered with four consecutive points. Castano recorded a kill, Ana Martinez served an ace and two Miami Dade errors helped the Eagles move ahead 22-19.
Miami Dade College responded with four straight points, but Polk State stayed within reach. Chillis Oke recorded a kill, and Mahoney delivered her third ace of the set to give Polk State a 24-23 set-point lead. Eleonora Gicheva served an ace to finish the set for Miami Dade College.
Miami Dade College pulls away in second set
Polk State fell behind 4-2 in the second set before using a 7-2 run to take the lead. Adriauna Combs recorded three kills and an ace during the stretch.
Following a 6-1 Miami Dade College run, Polk State answered with five consecutive points. Castano, Dublin Fitzgerald and Oke each recorded a kill during the run, which put the Eagles ahead 15-12.
Miami Dade College then scored six straight points to take the lead for good. The Sharks closed the set on a 13-4 run and moved within one set of the sweep.
Combs led Polk State with eight kills. Mahoney recorded 13 assists, Hyde added nine assists and Martinez led the Eagles with 16 digs.
No. 1 Miami Dade College closes out sweep
Polk State opened the third set with a Combs kill and a 2-0 lead. The final tie came at 7-7 after a kill by Kayla Staats, but Miami Dade College pulled away from there.
The Sharks outscored Polk State 18-5 over the remainder of the set to complete the sweep. Veronika Petrova led Miami Dade College with six kills, while Gicheva recorded 18 assists.
What comes next for Polk State Volleyball
Polk State will travel to Eastern Florida State College on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. for its final opportunity to win a road match during the regular season.
The Eagles will then host Santa Fe College on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m.
FSB Take
Polk State created pressure against No. 1 Miami Dade College in the opening set, building leads of 9-4 and 24-23. Miami Dade College answered both challenges and then controlled the final two sets.
The next opportunity comes Wednesday at Eastern Florida State College, followed by the Oct. 17 home match against Santa Fe College.
Source: Original report