Volleyball team falls in tight match against Miami Dade

The Eastern Florida State College fought the No. 1 team in the nation for every point, falling to Miami Dade in three sets Thursday in the first round of the FCSAA State Tournament at Florida State College at Jacksonvlle.

The Titans, who lost 25-21, 25-22, 25-18, will play No. 18 Daytona State College in an elimination game Friday at 10 a.m. Daytona State College lost to No. 15 Santa Fe in three sets Thursday.

On Thursday, the Titans found themselves down 13-9 in the first set, but a couple of blocks by Desiree Cruz and some big plays brought the Titans back. Maredis Colon would serve an ace to tie the match 19-19. The teams would also be tied 21-21 before Miami Dade won the set 25-21.

Once again Miami Dade would take an early advantage, leading the second set 10-4 before a Cruz kill. That seemed to spark the Titans who would tie the match 10-10 on a Colon kill. A Giselle Giraud kill and a Samantha Smith ace gave the Titans their first lead of the second set, 13-12. The two teams would trade points until the Titans took an 18-15 lead on another Cruz kill.

But Miami Dade would once again score the key points late to take the second set 25-22.

The third set would be tied 13-13 but the Sharks would score 12 of the final 17 points to advance to the second round.

Colon finished with six kills and 10 digs while Cruz had five kills. Anaeli Perea finished with 12 digs in the match. 

The Titans beat Daytona State College in five sets in February at Titan Field House. Friday's match will begin at 10 a.m. and fans are allowed to attend matches, but attendance is limited to the first 50 fans to each match. Admission costs $10. You can watch the match live online at https://team1sports.com/fcsaa/