Volleyball Falls to Daytona & Polk at Home

Lake Worth, FL -- Volleyball falls to 3-6 after losses to Daytona State and #1 Polk State.

Palm Beach faced two tough tests facing two of the region's top teams. Palm Beach previously lost to Daytona State on Sepember 23. This match was much closer than it appeared on paper, with the Panthers having several nice volleys and sterling defensive play before ultimately falling to a very talented group. Palm Beach did not have a lead until the 3rd set, coming from behind to eventually win out 25-23. The team took an early lead in the 4th set before Daytona State rallied back to tie the game at 7-7. Points went back and forth remaining tied at 15-15. Daytona pulled away from that point taking 10 out of the next 13 points. The game ended on a rotation foul.

Aleksandra Hamuda, Bella Magrino, and Madison Barton led the way for the Panthers in scoring, each had double-digit point totals. Sydney Ashner continues to rack up impressive assist numbers, posting 43, which is the 5th time she has posted 40 or more assists in a game in just 9 games played. Jazmine Sustaita had 17 DIGS, which was tops on the team.

In game #2, the Panthers faced off against the number one team in the country in Polks State. Polk looked every bit as advertised, defeating the Panthers in 3 sets.The Panthers got off to a hot start, leading Polk 7-2 before Polk called a timeout to rally the troops. Polk came back to tie things at 12-12 before pulling away a bit 14-20. The Panthers rallied back to inch close at 20-23, 21-24, before falling 21-25. The 2nd set was extremely close as well. Neither team pulled away, with the Panthers down just 2 at 20-22. PBSC rallied to for 1 more point but ultimately fell 21-25.

Aleksandra Hamuda led the Panthers with 8 points and 7 DIGS. Sydney Ashner had 23 assists.

The Panthers will have some time off before they start conference play on September 17. They will travel to Kendall, FL to take on perennial powerhouse Miami Dade College at 6:00 pm.