Box Score FORT MYERS — Polk State Volleyball hung tough with No. 1 Florida SouthWestern State College over the final two sets on Thursday night at Alico Arena but were unable to avoid the 3-0 sweep.
The Eagles (10-12, 6-8 Suncoast Conference) were shellacked 25-6 in the opening set but refused to quietly in the second. Trailing 18-11, Polk State used a 12-6 run to climb to within one at 24-23.
Crismeyli Rodrigues and
Kaila Ru each had two kills during the run but a service error gave the Buccaneers a 25-23 win.
Polk State raced to an 8-3 lead in the third set, but Florida SouthWestern answered with an 8-2 run and never trailed again. The Buccaneers won the set 25-20 and clinched the match.
"I was really proud of the way we fought tonight, especially after the first set," Polk State Head Coach
German Del Valle said. "Give credit to Florida SouthWestern. They're No. 1 for a reason. We have a week to fix some things, refocus, and get ready for the state tournament."
Rodrigues led Polk State with 10 kills to go with nine digs.
Maddie O'Sullivan finished with 11 digs and 11 assists for the Eagles – both team-highs.
Maria Luiza Barreis added 10 assists in the loss.
Alondra Alarcon led the Buccaneers with a match-high 12 kills. Barbara Koehler and Maria Cecilia each recorded 12 digs in the Florida SouthWestern State victory.
The Eagles will be the No. 6 seed in this year's FCSAA Tournament and take on third-seeded Daytona State College on Nov. 4 in Melbourne. Polk State will need to reach the tournament final to qualify for the national NJCAA Tournament.
