MIAMI — Facing No. 2 Miami Dade College, the task was tall for Polk State Volleyball on Saturday. The Eagles fell 3-0 but headed home with plenty to be proud of.

Miami Dade won by scores of 25-16, 25-13 and 25-11. Polk State (5-7, 0-2 Citrus Conference), however, made its presence felt early and throughout the afternoon.

In the opening set, Polk State held leads of 5-4 and 7-6, thanks in part to great serves by Rezzan Guner and Ella Langstrom. The Sharks used a 5-0 run to go ahead for good.

Polk State never led in the second set but it did draw even at 1-1 on Langstrom's outstanding block at the net. The Sharks responded with the next four points but Polk State continued to battle back.

Wiktoria Soremska had a pair of kills during a 4-2 run that cut the lead to 7-5. After falling behind 15-8, the Eagles responded with three straight points, highlighted by Alexia Ortiz's kill. Miami Dade closed the set on a 10-2 run.

In the third set, it was again Langstrom who evened the score at one — this time with a strong kill at the net. The Sharks responded with the next seven points before rolling to victory.

Ortiz had a nice day for Polk State, finishing with six kills, seven assists, two blocks and its lone service ace. Soremska and Langstrom each added two blocks. Isabella Ramos paced Polk State with 12 digs. Addison Phillippe led the Eagles with 12 assists.

Angelica Rodriguez led the Sharks with 10 kills. Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno added nine kills and nine digs in the win for Miami Dade.

Saturday's contest in South Florida was the second of four straight road matches to begin Citrus Conference play for Polk State. Things won't get any easier on Wednesday as the Eagles travel to face No. 1 Florida SouthWestern State College.