Polk State 3, CF Patriots 1 (Volleyballl)

The first home women's volleyball match in Central Florida Patriots history proved to be a letdown Wednesday as Polk State handed the team a four-set defeat, 26-24, 26-24, 23-25, 25-16.

Watch the broadcast of the game on Panhandle Broadcasting.

Fighting nerves produced by the historic occasion and dealing with injuries to a handful of key players, the Patriots struggled to find their rhythm as Polk pulled in front early and took the first two sets identical 26-24 scores.

CF seemed to find its stride in the third set, producing a series of kills to take the lead and claiming the set 25-23 when Brittany Toney's spike found an opening in the Eagles' defense and landed inbounds by inches. (Watch Toney's decisive point and the ensuing celebration in the video above).

That was the only moment of triumph for the Patriots, as the visiting Eagles calmly finished off CF in the clinching fourth set.

Sophomore Christine Pinder had 13 kills and 14 digs for CF, freshman Vanessa Benke added 14 digs and Toney 12 kills for the Patriots.

The setback was particularly disappointing after the Patriots' red-hot start to their debut season, a four-game sweep through FSC-Jacksonville's annual classic that included three in-state victories and a win over a nationally-ranked team in NJCAA No. 25 SCF-Manatee.

CF (4-1) takes to the road for a weekend visit to Wake Technical CC in Raleigh, N.C. The Patriots return home Tuesday, hosting Pasco-Hernando at 7 pm.

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