Women's volleyball team earns a split

The Eastern Florida State College women's volleyball team earned a split in the season-opening Pasco-Hernando tri-match Saturday in New Port Richey.

The Titans opened the day against Hillsborough Community College who is No 8 in the NJCAA Division I poll.

The Titans battled the Hawks, falling in five sets 16-25, 25-14, 16-25, 25-23, 13-15 in the first match of the season.

After falling in the first set, the Titans came out swinging and led for most of the second set and Sarah Langenbach served for the final point to tie the match.

Hillsborough would take the third set, jumping out to a 6-1 advantage and never looking back. But once again the Titans bounced back rallied from a 22-19 deficit to send the match to the fifth set with a 25-23 win.

The fifth set was close throughout but Hillsborough would prevail. 

Giselle Giraud had 13 kills in her first match with the Titans and Anaeli Perea had 21 digs.

In the second match of the day against host Pasco-Hernando State College, the Titans picked up their first win of the new season in five sets.

 Eastern Florida State College won the first set 25-18, dropped the second set, won the third 25-16 and lost the fourth 28-26 before winning the fifth set 15-8.

Sophomore Cassandra Gregory served out the match with three straight points, including an ace. Sophomore Maredis Colon finished with 20 kills while Perea had 29 digs.

Eastern Florida State College will travel to Polk State College on Feb. 2.