MIAMI — Polk State Volleyball's effort was nothing short of valiant on Saturday. In the end, the Eagles fell at No. 1 Miami Dade College, 3-0.

Polk State fell by set scores of 26-24, 25-19, and 25-12. In the opening set — the closest in Citrus Conference play this season for Polk State — the Eagles led most of the way.

Aces by Jasmine Mahoney and Kenzie Hyde helped Polk State race to a 9-4 lead in the opening set. The Sharks stormed back to take a 19-18 lead but Polk State refused to roll over.

The Eagles answered with a 4-0 run, courtesy of a kill by Mariana Castano — one of her four in the opening set — an ace from Ana Martinez and a pair of Miami Dade errors to take a 22-19 lead. 

Miami Dade responded with a 4-0 run of its own but a kill by Chillis Oke and Mahoney's third ace of the set gave Polk State set point at 24-23. Miami Dade was able to respond with the final three points, capped by Eleonora Gicheva's ace.

Polk State again started strong in the second set. After falling behind 4-2, the Eagles used a 7-2 run to take the lead. Adriauna Combs had three kills and an ace during the run.

Following a 6-1 Miami Dade run, the Eagles (0-19, 0-8 Citrus) again flashed their resiliency. Castano, Dublin Fitzgerald, and Oke each recorded kills during a 5-0 run as Polk State took a 15-12 lead. The Sharks scored the next six points to go ahead for good and closed the set on a 13-4 run.

Polk State used a Combs kill to take a 2-0 lead in the third set. The last tie came at 7-7, courtesy of a Kayla Staats kill. The Sharks outscored Polk State 18-5 to end the set and match.

Combs led Polk State with eight kills. Mahoney and Hyde added 13 and nine assists, respectively. Martinez led the Eagles with 16 digs.

Veronika Petrova led Miami Dade with six kills. Gicheva added 18 assists.

Polk State will have one last chance to win a road match during the regular season. The Eagles will travel to take on Eastern Florida State College on Wednesday.