Box Score TAMPA -- Polk State Volleyball found itself in another tightly contested battle Thursday night with No. 13 Hillsborough Community College. After rallying to beat Hillsborough Community earlier in the season, the Eagles found themselves on the other side of a five-set thriller with the Hawks this time around, falling 3-2 to split the season series.

Polk sophomore middle Kaila Ru had a historic night for the Eagles, posting a career-high 26 kills with just one attack error in 33 attempts for an astronomic .758 hitting percentage. 

The Eagles (6-9, 2-5 Suncoast Conference) made a statement in the opening set, hitting a match-best .368 with 18 kills and just four errors in 38 attempts. Polk State cruised to a 25-16 win to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The hot start was not sustained for Polk in the second set, as the Eagles hit just .194 and the Hawks evened the match with a 25-18 win. Polk then withstood six attack errors in the third set to grit out a 25-21 victory to take a 2-1 advantage. 
 
Errors continued to balloon for the Eagles in the fourth set, as they committed a match-high seven attack errors and hit a match-low .167. The Hawks forced the fifth set with a 25-15 win. Hillsborough never trailed in the fifth set, ultimately closing out the match 15-9. 
 
"I am extremely proud of how our girls continue to fight," said Polk State Head Coach German Del Valle. "Experience does not come overnight and we will continue to work hard and stay focused on our goals."
 
Polk freshman setter Madison O'Sullivan logged 37 assists, while freshman defensive specialist Irene Mostardini topped the stat sheet in digs with 20.
 
The Eagles look to get back in the win column on Saturday at home vs. Santa Fe College. Match time is at 3 p.m.