WINTER HAVEN – Five players who helped Polk State Volleyball get back to the FCSAA Tournament in 2025 will now look to be contributors at four-year programs.

That's how many Polk State players are moving on from last year's roster. Of the five, three will go the NAIA route. Two of those will remain in the Sunshine State.

"Watching our athletes continue their journeys at a four-year school is one of the most rewarding aspects of this job," Head Coach Jessica Beal said. "I'm proud of what they accomplished here at Polk and am as excited to see how they contribute at their next program. Each left our program, not just as better volleyball players, but as confident and remarkable young women prepared to make an impact on the next chapter of their lives."

The first to make the transition was setter Addison Phillippe. After spending her freshman season at Polk State, Phillippe will be making the trek to Sarasota to play at the NAIA level for New College of Florida.

"I chose New College of Florida because Coach (David) McFatrich has built an amazing culture with a group of really special girls," Phillippe exclaimed. "New College is in a competitive conference and has been very successful for the past couple of years."

In her lone season at Polk State, Phillippe led the Eagles by averaging seven assists per set – good for fifth in the FCSAA. She also ranked second on the team and eighth in the FCSAA, averaging 0.45 service aces per set.

"Polk State helped me get recruited to the next level by providing me with the exposure I needed," Phillippe added. "With (the help of) Assistant Coach Hunter Parrish, I was able to elevate my game and learn so much more about being a setter."

Marina Santos will also be playing NAIA volleyball in the Sunshine State. She'll head to Lakeland to play for Southeastern University.

"I chose SEU because of the connection I felt with the team and coaching staff," Santos said. "I had an amazing visit where I got to spend a day and practice with them. I like how competitive and supportive the environment was and how beautiful the campus is."

A transfer from Casper College, Santos led the Eagles by averaging 2.19 kills per set as a sophomore in 2025. Santos ranked second on the team by averaging 2.31 digs per set and third in both aces per set (0.39) and blocks per set (0.42).

"Coach Beal runs the Polk State volleyball program in a very tight and challenging but also supportive way," she concluded. "During my year at Polk, I learned to be a better player and person by holding myself and my teammates accountable and by not being afraid of facing challenges. I would love to say, 'thank you' to Coach Beal and Hunter for this opportunity; I will forever cherish everything I experienced as an Eagle."

After one season at Polk State, Texas native Natalie Aasen will be moving closer to home. She's signed with Louisiana Christian University, an NAIA program.

As a freshman last season, Aasen appeared in 16 matches for Polk State. Aasen averaged 1.07 digs and ranked fourth on the team by averaging 0.28 service aces per set.

A mechanical engineering major, Rezzan Guner has committed to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, an NCAA Division III program in Indiana.

"For a generation where everything is highly competitive, from the court to the classroom to the workforce, Rose-Hulman makes a huge difference," Guner said, "Its hands-on approach to engineering employment rates, and seeing how the alumni have fared after college inspired me to go to the No. 1 undergraduate engineering school in the country. They have a great volleyball program with young women striving for more and I genuinely believe you are who you surround yourself with."

A native of Turkey, Guner was one of five Polk State players to appear in all 23 matches in 2025. Guner was one of six Polk State athletes, including three volleyball players selected to the Academic All-District® Team this year.

"At Polk, I had a professor (Robert Earl Brown), who always said, 'whatever you do, do it with intention,'" Guner added. "I took his words seriously. Polk is a great place to connect with your professors, coaches, all the athletes and SALO staff and everyone works hard behind the scenes and cares about you as a person. Polk pushed me to want more and now, I'm leaving with confidence that I can do the hard things. I'm grateful for all the people I've met and all the lessons I've learned."

Alexia Ortiz will be returning to her home of Puerto Rico. She will play for Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in San German, part of the Liga Atlética Interuniversitaria (LAI) – a college athletic conference in Puerto Rico with participation from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"I chose Interamerican University of Puerto Rico because it felt like the right next step in my career," Ortiz said. "I wanted to bring everything I learned at Polk State back to my island. I'm excited to see what I can accomplish and believe this university and program will help me reach my goals."

A second-team All-Citrus Conference selection as a sophomore, Ortiz was among Polk State's leaders in virtually every major category and finished as the team leader and second in the FCSAA by averaging 0.61 service aces per set – the highest average for an Eagle in four years. Ortiz ranked second on the team, averaging 1.91 kills per set and 1.73 assists per set. She also averaged 1.44 digs per set.

"Polk State gave me all the tools I needed to succeed both academically and athletically," Ortiz concluded. "I've grown so much as a person, a student and an athlete because of the support from my professors, Coach Beal and everyone who believed in me along the way. Everything I learned at Polk has prepared me for this next chapter and I'll carry those lessons with me wherever I go."

Polk State signees

Name, position, signed
• Natalie Aasen, DS, Louisiana Christian University
• Rezzan Guner, DS, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
• Alexia Ortiz, OH, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
• Addison Phillippe, S, New College of Florida
• Marina Santos, OH, Southeastern University