HOBBS, N.M. – Polk State Volleyball knew traveling more than 1,500 miles to face nationally ranked competition would be no small task. The first day of the New Mexico JUCO Tournament didn't go as Polk State had hoped as the Eagles fell to a pair of top-15 teams in straight sets on Friday.

Polk State started the day with a 3-0 loss to No. 9 New Mexico Military Institute. The Eagles fell by set scores of 25-6, 25-15 and 25-14.

Polk State, however, did score the first point of the day on a cross-court kill from Jasmine Mahoney. After Polk State tied the first set 2-2 on an error, New Mexico Military Institute went ahead for good with six straight points.

The Broncos were able to carry that momentum into the second set as they raced to a 5-0 lead before Yanelee Deida's well-placed touch shot got Polk State on the board. Behind a couple of kills from Camila Freitag, Polk State was able to get as close as two in the set.

Again, a 6-0 run from New Mexico Military provided a huge blow to the Eagles. Down 20-11 late, Polk State fought back with three straight points on two Freitag kills and an error but the Broncos scored five of the set's final six points.

In the third set, Polk State never led but continued to show fight. After falling behind 11-6, the Eagles scored three straight points to draw to within two. Mariana Castano started the rally with a kill and an ace. Polk State closed to within two points on multiple occasions before New Mexico State closed the set and match on an 11-2 run.

Polk State dropped the second match of the day to No. 12 New Mexico Junior College, the tournament host, 3-0 but played two very competitive sets. The Eagles fell 25-20, 25-14, 25-21.

In the first set, Freitag got the Eagles off to a hot start, recording two kills and combining with Deida for a block at the net as Polk State raced to a 4-2 lead. With the set tied at 12, New Mexico Junior College used an 8-0 run to seize control.

Polk State never led in the second set but made the Thunderbirds sweat in the third. Kills by Freitag and Deida followed by an Adriauna Combs ace gave the Eagles an early 3-0 lead. Polk State (0-9) was able to eventually push the advantage to 11-5.

New Mexico JUCO responded with a 10-3 run to take the lead. Chillis Oke's kill tied the set at 15, but the Thunderbirds responded with the next four points to move in front for good.

Polk State will wrap up the New Mexico JUCO Tournament and non-conference play on Saturday with two more matches. The Eagles open the day against No. 19 Dodge City Community before capping their stay against North Central Texas College.