WINTER HAVEN – For the first time since the Eagle of the Month award's inception in 2022, there are co-winners.

For the month of October, Polk State Volleyball opposite hitter Alexia Ortiz and Polk State Basketball forward Ethan Simon will share the honor. The Eagle of the Month is selected by the Polk State Athletics Eagle of the Month Committee.

Ortiz played in eight matches for Polk State in October, averaging a team-high 1.93 kills per set and 0.59 service aces per set. Ortiz also averaged 1.89 assists and 2.6 points per set.

With the season on the line in the regular season finale on Oct. 29, Ortiz came up big. Against Santa Fe College for the final spot in the FCSAA Tournament, Ortiz set career-highs with seven service aces and 26 assists in a 3-0 Polk State victory.

For the year, Ortiz ranks second in the FCSAA, averaging 0.61 aces per set. For Polk State, she also ranks first or second on the team in kills per set (1.85), assists per set (1.77) and points per set (2.6).

As Polk State Basketball opened its season on Oct. 31, Simon finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds – the highest totals for a Polk State player in a debut for as far back as records could be found. In a 134-127 double-overtime loss to the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, Simon finished 12-for-18 from the field, 7-for-10 from the free-throw line and added three blocks.

As the Eagles get ready for their home opener on Sunday, Simon currently leads the FCSAA in rebounds per game, averaging 12. His 2.5 blocks per game average ranks fourth in the state.

For Polk State Volleyball, Ortiz and the Eagles will chase a championship in Fort Myers. Polk State opens the FCSAA Tournament on Friday against No. 20 Daytona State College.