Box Score FORT MYERS – Polk State Volleyball didn't take a set at the FCSAA Tournament quarterfinals against No. 20 Daytona State College on Friday, but it left no doubt that it belonged. The Eagles played three very competitive sets but ultimately came up short to the third-seeded Falcons, 3-0.
The sixth-seeded Eagles (8-15) started strong in the opening set.
Sarah Boe Soerenson had three service aces in the first set, including back-to-back aces to give Polk State an early 6-4 lead. Daytona State appeared to have seized control with a 5-0 run to take a 15-10 lead, but the Eagles refused to roll over.
Polk State responded with a 10-3 run to take the lead. After Soerenson and
Camila Freitag combined for a block to cut the lead to 17-15, Soerenson's third ace of the set evened things at 18. Freitag and
Alexia Ortiz followed with consecutive kills to give Polk State a 20-18 lead.
Daytona State responded with a 5-0 run to go in front for good. After a Freitag ace cut the lead to 24-23, the Falcons scored the decisive point to take the set, 25-23.
Ortiz recorded three kills early in the second set to help Polk State race to a 9-5 lead. Daytona State was able to take an 11-10 lead, but the Eagles responded with an 8-3 run, thanks to kills from Santos, Ortiz and Soerenson and an ace from
Addison Phillippe.
The last Polk State lead in the second came on a block from
Wiktoria Soremska to make it 20-19. Daytona State closed on a 6-1 run. Charizma Lofton scored the final two points for the Falcons to win the set, 25-21.
After falling behind 3-1 in the third set, Polk State used consecutive aces from Ortiz to take a 6-5 lead. Daytona State was able to move back in front by a 10-9 score before
Rezzan Guner tied it with a kill. Soerenson followed with a kill of her own to give Polk State its final lead of the day, 12-11.
At one point in the set, the teams traded six straight points before the Falcons used a 6-0 run to go in front to stay, 23-17. With kills from Santos and Ortiz, the Eagles clawed to within 24-20 before a service error ended the match and Polk State's season.
"Words can't describe how proud I am of this group," Head Coach Jessica Beal said. "They fought hard and played one of their best games of the season. Daytona just executed a little bit better. They have a phenomenal program, and I wish them the best of luck moving forward."
One night after being recognized as an All-Citrus Conference performer, Ortiz led the Eagles with 10 kills. Soerenson finished with a match-high four aces.
Isabella Ramos finished with 14 digs. Phillippe led Polk State with 21 assists. Freitag had a nice all-around match with four total blocks and five digs.
Lofton led Daytona State with 12 kills. Kiali Olivier added 11 kills. Alyssa Rosa led the Falcons with 17 digs.
"I'd like to thank my sophomores who helped me build this program," Beal added. "They took this team to the next level this season. We wouldn't have had the same successes without them. I'm excited to grow and develop this freshman class this spring. I expect huge things next fall and for us to be back and better than ever."
