FORT MYERS — Polk State Volleyball came up short in its trip to Suncoast Credit Union Arena on Wednesday night. The Eagles were defeated by reigning national champion Florida SouthWestern State College, 3-0.

Polk State never led in any set. The Eagles, however, had their moments and played better in each subsequent set.

After dropping the opening set 25-6, Polk State (5-8, 0-3 Citrus Conference) performed much better in the second set. The Eagles fell behind 11-3 early but showed fight during a 5-2 run in which five different players — Ella Langstrom, Isabella Ramos, Addison Phillippe, Sarah Boe Soerenson and Alexia Ortiz — recorded kills. With the deficit cut to 13-8, Florida SouthWestern responded with four straight points before taking the set, 25-13.

In the third set, Polk State was again plagued by a rough start. The top-ranked Buccaneers raced to a 10-4 lead but the Eagles answered with three straight points, including their only service ace of the night from Ortiz. The Eagles thrice drew to within three.

During a 5-3 scoring stretch, Marina Santos and Camila Freitag each had two kills. FSW closed on a 13-4 run to pick up a second straight 25-13 set victory.

Phillippe led Polk State with 11 assists and six digs. Ramos also had six digs. Santos led Polk State with seven kills.

Sara Gamboa led FSW with 13 kills and six digs. Irina Makinen finished with a match-high 29 assists for the Buccaneers.

After back-to-back matches at the nation's top two ranked teams, the Eagles will wrap up a four-match road stretch to open Citrus Conference play on Saturday when they visit Daytona State College. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m.