WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Volleyball was unable to get a second win over a nationally ranked team on Wednesday night. The Eagles ultimately came up short on Sophomore Night to No. 16 Daytona State College, 3-0.

Polk State (7-13, 2-8 Citrus Conference) held its own early in sets, but big Daytona State runs were too frequent throughout the night. The Falcons completed the sweep by scores of 25-19, 25-17 and 25-19.

Polk State took the first point of the night but never led again for the evening. Daytona State followed with a 3-0 run, but the Eagles drew even three times, thanks to kills from Marina Santos, Ella Langstrom and Addison Phillippe. With the score tied 5-5, Daytona State responded with four straight points and never trailed again.

The Eagles trailed by as many as seven in the first. After cutting the deficit to 24-19 with consecutive points, Santos' shot went long, ending the opening set.

Polk State fell behind 4-1 in the second set but quickly drew even as Langstrom's kill ignited a 3-0 run. The Falcons responded with a 10-4 run and never looked back. Camila Freitag was called for being into the net, ending the set.

Daytona State's Karina Crespo opened the third set with an ace as the Falcons raced to an early 4-1 lead. Langstrom ended a mini 3-0 run with a kill to cut it to 4-2, but that's as close as Polk State would get. The Falcons scored the next nine points to take a commanding 13-2 lead before Langstrom ultimately ended the run.

Down by as many as 11, the Eagles twice clawed to within five. Alexia Ortiz followed her kill with an ace to cut the lead to 22-17 before back-to-back blocks at the net from Freitag made it 24-19. A Polk State error ultimately ended the night.

Although Polk State came up short on Sophomore Night, it did receive some good news. With No. 1 Florida SouthWestern State College's win over Eastern Florida State College, the Eagles can clinch an FCSAA Tournament berth with a win over Eastern on Saturday in Melbourne. Match time is scheduled for 2 p.m.