The Polk State volleyball team gathers at midcourt at the Health Center.

Women's Volleyball 8/27/2022 8:22:00 PM Polk State Athletics

Polk State Volleyball splits on final day of Battle at the Beach

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FORT MYERS – Polk State Volleyball enjoyed a winning trip to Fort Myers, finishing 3-1 at the Battle at the Beach Invitational.

The Eagles swept Trinity Valley Community College before falling to No. 9 Central Wyoming College 3-1 to close the two-day event on Saturday.

After winning two matches in four sets on Friday, Polk State opened Saturday with a straight-set victory over Trinity Valley. The Eagles won the first two sets, 25-16, 25-21, but the Cardinals wouldn't go quietly in the third.

Polk State had triple match point, but Trinity Valley responded with four straight points to take a 25-24 lead. The Eagles answered with the final three points to clinch the set 27-25 and the match.

Polk State finished with a .279 attacking percentage to .127 for the Cardinals. Alanae Margaritha led Polk State with 11 kills while Maria Munoz added 10 kills and 13 digs. Irene Mostardine led Polk State with a match-high 23 digs.

Mafer Salas led Trinity Valley with eight kills. Sofia Velez's 20 digs led the Cardinals in the loss.

After dropping the first set for the first time all invitational against Central Wyoming, Polk State bounced back to win the second set. The Eagles led late in the third, but the Rustlers closed strong to win the set. They put Polk State away with a 25-20 win in the fourth set.

Crismeyli Rodrigues led the Eagles with eight kills. Mostardine's 24 digs was the most for any Polk State player throughout the invitational. Brinley Smith led Central Wyoming with 14 kills.

"I would have liked to have won all four matches, but to come away with three wins against that level of competition shows that we can compete with anyone," Head Coach German Del Valle said. "Things don't get much easier from here, but we're headed home with a lot of confidence."

Except for a scrimmage against Warner University, Polk State won't play again until it takes on No. 4 Florida SouthWestern in its home opener on Sept. 6. As host of the Battle at the Beach Invitational, the Buccaneers went a perfect 4-0 over the two days.

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