WINTER HAVEN – As it has so many times before, Polk State Volleyball will look to make noise at the FCSAA Tournament in Fort Myers. Playing in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, Polk State knew the challenges would be many, but one of the final obstacles of the regular season was out of the Eagles' control.

With the top six teams advancing to the FCSAA Tournament, Polk State and Santa Fe College entered the final night of the regular season tied for sixth place. At stake for the Oct. 29 match in Gainesville was the last postseason spot. The winner would move on while the loser's season would come to an end.

"Their energy at the pregame meeting showed me that they were ready to go," Polk State Head Coach Jessica Beal said. "They went out and executed. It was wonderful to watch."

An unexpected opponent

Just days prior to the final contest, more than half of the team's members came down with a stomach virus. With the season on the line, a sick Beal led practices with just five or six of Polk State's 11 players.

"I couldn't even get out of bed," libero Isabella Ramos recalled. "I was that sick."

"I genuinely thought I was dying," freshman setter Addison Phillippe said.

With most far from 100%, nine of the members were able to suit up for the regular season finale. A few players, including Ramos, were match-time decisions. Ramos was told that how she warmed up in the pregame would determine whether or not she could play.

"I knew that if I didn't play or played and didn't play my best that I would be disappointed in myself," Ramos reflected. "I didn't feel good, but not playing was not an option."

Phillippe, the team leader in assists, and middle blocker Ella Langstrom were unable to play. That left others to play out of position and fill those voids. In place of Phillippe, Alexia Ortiz took the primary setting duties. In the middle, Sarah Boe Soerenson played out of position in place of Langstrom.

"Knowing we weren't 100%, we kept our mentality of expecting to win," said Ortiz, one of the Polk State players who were well all week. "I knew I had to step up and be that kind of leader in the moment. I decided to take it as an opportunity to see what I could do to elevate my teammates."

The decisive match

Entering the regular season finale, Santa Fe had been a bit of a thorn in Polk State's side. In last season's trip to Gainesville, the Eagles had multiple match points but couldn't finish things out in a heartbreaking five-set loss. In the first matchup between the schools this season on Oct. 4, the Saints rolled to a sweep over Polk State in Winter Haven. Polk State had also yet to earn a victory in a true road match in 2025.

"When we got there, we had an unspoken understanding of what was at stake," Ramos noted. "I didn't feel pressure because, in my mind, I knew we were going to get it done. We trusted each other to do our jobs."

Polk State trailed 8-7 in the first set before using a 7-1 run to go ahead for good. Rezzan Guner had the clinching kill in a 25-21 victory. In the second set, the Eagles again finished strong. Down 17-14, Polk State closed on an 11-3 run to take the set, 25-20.

Without Phillippe and Langstrom, others filled in admirably. Ortiz set a career-high with 26 assists and seven aces. Playing the middle for the first time, Soerenson registered five kills on a .625 hitting percentage. Dublin Fitzgerald, a freshman walk-on, led the Eagles with a career-high six kills.

"I knew I wasn't going to be able to play, so I was there to support my teammates in any way I could," Phillippe said. "I'm really proud of my teammates. Everyone did a great job persevering."

In the third set, Polk State fell behind 4-0 early. Thanks in part to six aces from Ortiz, the Eagles responded with a 20-2 run before rolling to a 25-12 win to close out the match. It was Polk State's most lopsided Citrus Conference set victory under Beal.

"I was happy to be in that situation," Ortiz said. "I was just so proud of everyone. The circumstances were against us, but everything we worked for since the start of the season paid off."

"Before the match, Alexia had a look of joy and confidence on her face," Beal recalled. "She was ready; she was vocal and we just followed her lead."

"They swept us here, so being able to return the favor on their Sophomore Night was cool," Ramos added. "It was a surreal feeling. Alexia did a great job. Sarah led us in hitting percentage. Everyone did a great job."

Back to the FCSAA Tournament

After going winless in conference last season, Polk State's return to the FCSAA Tournament is sweet redemption for Beal and her two returning players, Ortiz and Ramos.

"This was one of our goals at the beginning of the season," Beal said. "With the progress this group has made, they deserve to be here. We're hoping to take all the strides we made and put all of our efforts and energy into the state tournament. I want to stay in Fort Myers as long as possible."

After a 4-13 finish in 2024, Polk State has doubled its win total this season. The Eagles snapped a 16-match Citrus Conference losing streak on Oct. 1 with a thrilling five-set win over then nationally ranked Eastern Florida State College. Last week's win over Santa Fe was the first conference road win for the Eagles during Beal's tenure.

"We've been working for this all year," Phillippe said. "To be able to get here and compete against some of the best teams in the nation is really exciting."

The FCSAA Tournament features two of the nation's top three ranked teams in No. 1 Miami Dade College and No. 3 Florida SouthWestern State College, the host and reigning national champions. The Eagles will take on the tournament's third seed, No. 20 Daytona State College, at 1 p.m. on Friday in the quarterfinals.

"After last season, being here feels like a dream," Ortiz said. "We want to win and keep on pushing, but I want to enjoy it and every moment I have left with my teammates. Our work ethic and mindset of giving it our all no matter what is what defines our team."

The winner of Friday afternoon's match between Polk State and Daytona State will move on to take on Florida SouthWestern in the semifinals on Friday night. The FCSAA Championship is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. The FCSAA champion and runner up will then play opponents from other regions for a spot in the national tournament on Sunday.

"Being here means everything," Ramos concluded. "From last year to now, I knew we could do it, but to actually be at this point and to experience the postseason with my teammates is so cool."