MELBOURNE – After topping Eastern Florida State College in a five-set thriller last week, Titan Field House proved to be less kind to Polk State Volleyball the second time around. Third-seeded Eastern Florida ended the Eagles' season on Friday night with a 3-0 victory in the FCSAA Tournament quarterfinals.
The Titans won by set scores of 25-21, 25-19, and 25-14. Despite competitive sets early on, Polk State (1-21) was plagued by rough starts to the early sets.
In the first set, Polk State fell behind by a 15-6 score, but as has been the case all year, it refused to roll over. Following a 3-0 run that started with a
Dublin Fitzgerald kill, the Eagles got as close as three on three separate occasions.
Trailing 24-18, Polk State stayed alive with three straight points as kills by Fitzgerald and
Kayla Staats bookended a
Jasmine Mahoney ace. Jordyn Cox had the decisive kill that gave the Titans the set.
In the second set, Polk State fell behind 8-4 but rallied to take the lead with a 10-5 run.
Camilla Freitag gave the Eagles their final lead of the set at 14-13. Eastern Florida scored the next four points, but Polk State stayed within striking distance, cutting it to 19-18 on a
Yanelee Deida kill. Eastern Florida closed the set on a 6-1 run.
Polk State never led in the third set. The teams exchanged the first six points, but the Titans seized control with a 14-2 run.
Chillis Oke had consecutive kills during a mini 4-0 run for the Eagles, but they got no closer than seven following the big Eastern Florida run.
Freshman
Mariana Castano led Polk State with six kills. Mahoney had a nice night with seven assists and three service aces.
Ana Martinez led Polk State with eight digs. Cox finished with 12 kills and nine digs to lead Eastern Florida.
With the loss, Polk State's third season under Head Coach Jessica Beal has come to an end. The Titans will take on Florida SouthWestern State College in the FCSAA Tournament semifinals in Fort Myers next week.
