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Box Score 2 MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Sixth-seeded Polk State Volleyball looked poised to make another trademark postseason run at the FCSAA/NJCAA Division I Southeast District Tournament. The Eagles opened play on Friday morning with a thrilling 3-0 stunner over third-seeded Daytona State College in the quarterfinals. In Polk State's second match of the day, the Eagles were unable to channel the same rhythm, as second-seeded Miami Dade College took down Polk in straight sets in the semifinal.
MATCH ONE: No. 6 Polk State 3, No. 3 Daytona State 0
The tone of the match was competitive from the onset of the first set, with things knotted up 8-8 early on. A kill by freshman outside hitter
Crismeyli Rodrigues gave Polk a 10-7 lead. Rodrigues went on to have one of her best efforts of the season, totaling 13 kills -- her second-most in a match this season -- while hitting a crisp .400 with just one error in 30 attempts.
Polk continued to stay out in front in the first set with a thunderous block by sophomore middle
Kaila Ru and freshman outside hitter
Alanae Margaritha that grew the Eagles' advantage over the Falcons to 20-17. However, Daytona did not go quietly, tying up the set late 24-24. Ultimately, it was Rodrigues who proved to be the hero for the Eagles, with a powerful kill to cement the 26-24 set win and a 1-0 lead for Polk.
The second set was another intense battle between the two squads. A 7-3 run midway through the session looked to grant Polk full momentum in the match with a 19-12 lead. However, Daytona retaliated again, outscoring the Eagles 12-5 to tie things up once again at 24-24. Each team would have three set point opportunities to close things out, but it was the Eagles who successfully converted their third chance via a Daytona attack error to win the marathon set 32-30.
The Eagles saved their best offense for the third set of the match, hitting a match-best .368 with just one error and 15 kills in 38 attempts. Another Daytona attack error clinched the match for Polk with an emphatic 25-11 victory in the third set.
"I am incredibly proud of how our girls came out and executed the game plan this morning," said Polk State Head Coach
German Del Valle. "The awesome energy our group brings into every match translated into a high level of play and helped us get a win over a very talented Daytona team."
MATCH TWO: No. 6 Polk State 0, No. 2 Miami Dade 3
Attack errors were detrimental for the Eagles in their second contest in six hours, as Polk committed 24 attack errors in 115 attempts for a .017 percentage. A 10-3 Sharks run in the first set opened things up for a 20-10 Miami Dade lead, which was ultimately closed out 25-13.
Polk kept pace with Miami Dade in the early goings of the second set, keeping things even at 12-12. However, the Sharks throttled off another mid-set run, opening things up to a 19-15 advantage before taking the session 25-17.
Miami Dade hit a match-best .289 in the third set with 16 kills, as the Sharks advanced to the championship match with a 25-18 victory in the third set.
Rodrigues led the Eagles in kills for the second time on Friday, with seven on the match. She added three solo blocks at the net.
"Obviously, our goal was to make it to the championship match and give ourselves a chance at another trip to the national tournament," added Coach Del Valle. "While we are disappointed with this result, I could not be prouder of this team and how they continued to fight for each other down to the final point."
Polk State (11-13) will compete in the third-place consolation match on Saturday at noon against the loser of top-seeded Florida SouthWestern State College and No. 4 seed Eastern Florida State College. Those schools will compete in the second semifinal match on Friday evening.
