WINTER HAVEN – Unfortunately for Polk State Volleyball, the start of Citrus Conference play brought an end to its three-match winning streak. The Eagles fell to Daytona State College on Wednesday night in straight sets, 3-0.
A kill by Giulia Beatriz for the first point of the night gave Polk State (3-2, 0-1 Citrus) its only lead of the match in any set. The first set proved to be the most competitive of the match as the Eagles fell, 25-20.
“We had some moments tonight,” Polk State Head Coach Jessica Beal said. “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t sustain any momentum.”
Polk State trailed by as many as six but used a 6-2 run to close to within two at 21-19. A kill by Ella Lopez and a block by Daryangelis Torres Arbelohighlighted the run. The Falcons scored four of the last five points with a block by Abana Terran ending it.
The second set was rough from the get-go for Polk State. Following a service error to open the set, Leia Lund came through with back-to-back aces to give Daytona State a 3-0 lead. The Falcons would take the match, 25-11.
Daytona State raced to an 11-3 lead in the third set, but Polk State showed its resolve. An ace by Lopez highlighted a run of four straight points as Polk State closed to within four at 11-7. Unfortunately for the Eagles, that’s as close as they would get in the 25-16 defeat.
“Daytona is a very talented team,” Beal added. “They played with excellent energy tonight that we couldn’t match.”
Polk State will try to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season and pick up its first Citrus Conference win on Saturday, but things won’t get any easier. The Eagles will host No. 2 Miami Dade College. Match time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
