Box Score WINTER HAVEN – Polk State Volleyball opened its season with a stiff test. The Eagles showed resilience throughout Thursday's contest, but No. 10 Trinity Valley Community College proved too much in a 3-0 victory.

Polk State started strong in the opening set, jumping to an early 4-3 lead. The contest went back and forth before the Cardinals used a 9-2 run to open up a 20-12 lead. Polk State fought back with the next three points, capped by a thunderous kill from Marina Santos. A kill by Trinity Valley's Bianca Salvador ultimately ended the opening set as the Cardinals claimed a 25-15 victory.

In the second set, Polk State (0-1) again flashed early. Alexia Ortiz had two kills and an ace during a 4-1 run as the Eagles took a 6-5 lead. Unfortunately, that would be Polk State's final lead of the set.

Kaysie Nabors' ace put Trinity Valley ahead to stay during a 10-3 run. Polk State, however, refused to go quietly.

Down 22-15, the Eagles responded with four straight points. A kill by Rezzan Guner capped the Polk State run. Beatriz Toledo's kill ultimately capped the set as the Cardinals held on for a 25-20 lead.

Trinity Valley capped the sweep by with a 25-18 victory in the third set. After Guner tied the set at one apiece, the Cardinals seized control with a 7-1 run. Ortiz had the lone kill for Polk State during the Cardinal run.

Polk State again refused to go quietly. Down 19-12, Polk State put together a 5-1 run. Guner and Ortiz each collected service aces during the run as Polk State cut the deficit to 20-17. That's as close as the Eagles would get.

"Trinity Valley has a historically successful program, and they exemplified that tonight," Polk State Head Coach Jessica Beal said. I'm proud of the way our team fought and saw a lot of positive attributes from this team. I'm excited to see how these Eagles grow and what this special group can accomplish."

Guner finished with seven kills with only one error in the defeat. Isabella Ramos led the way with 20 digs. Santos led Polk State with eight kills added 16 digs. Ortiz finished with six kills and seven digs to go with a team-high 13 assists. 

After falling to a top-10 program in its home opener, Polk State will hit the road for the first time on Saturday. The Eagles will head to Fort Pierce for matches with Pasco-Hernando State College and Indian River State College.