WINTER HAVEN – A late rally put on by Polk State Volleyball was not enough to surpass No. 14 Daytona State College on Saturday afternoon. After dropping the first two sets, the Eagles retaliated with a third-set thriller before ultimately falling in four.

The Eagles (8-11, 4-7 Suncoast) suffered through a tough start to the match, as the Falcons (11-4, 7-4 Suncoast) cruised to a 25-9 first-set victory.

Polk responded with a more competitive second session, tying things up 7-7 early, thanks to a kill by freshman outside hitter Alanae Margaritha. The Eagles continue to keep things close in the session, trailing just 15-14 midway through the action. However, the Falcons closed out the set on a 10-4 run to take it 25-18 and grow their advantage to 2-0.

Down 2-0, the Eagles showed an immense amount of grit and tenacity on the court. A ferocious kill by freshman outside hitter Carolina Guerreiro pulled the Eagles ahead 14-11 and forced a Daytona State timeout.  The set continued as a back-and-forth affair.

With the Eagles leading 24-23, the Falcons were able to tie things up to force the set to continue. Another well-executed kill by Margaritha put Polk in another position to close out the set. Polk did not miss on their second set point, as an assisted block by freshman middle blocker Andreina Aybar and sophomore setter Maria Luiza Barreis clinched the set for the Eagles 26-24.

Polk jumped out to an early 4-1 lead over Daytona in the fourth set. However, things quickly tightened up, as there were five ties or lead changes before things evened up at 12-12. It was at this time that the Falcons mounted a momentous 5-0 run to turn the tide in their favor.  The Eagles were able to cut the deficit to three before the Falcons clinched the match with a 25-19 win.

"Obviously, this is not the result we wanted, but I am proud of the way our team came together and fought for each other," said Polk State Head Coach German Del Valle. "We will keep moving forward and competing the Polk way, as a family."

Up next, the Eagles will gear up for another Suncoast Conference battle on Thursday at No. 4 Miami Dade College. Match time is set for 6 p.m.