Leesburg, Fla. – It has been a tough conference slate for the Lake-Sumter State College volleyball team, but that all went by the wayside Tuesday night with what could be the biggest upset in program history over No. 17 Central Florida.
The night opened up with a different feeling as six sophomores took to the court for the final time in the Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center. Sierra Mooney, Renata Gomes Martins, Isabelle Zatoni de Oliveira, Tiane Kong, Danielle Lodor and Emily Newlin were all honored before the start of the match. All six players made key contributions throughout the contest.
Set number one established the tone for the battle ahead with the Patriots squeaking out a 26-24 victory. LSSC came back out for set two and started off on a good run to give them the lead. The early confidence gained by the team led them to a 25-21 win. Central Florida took control of the match in the third set with a 25-13 victory. The fourth set was back and forth before Nia Ervin and Emma Gray solidified the offense down the stretch giving their team the 25-21 win.
The fifth and final set was one for the ages. Tied at 11-11 and then again at 13-13, CF committed a hitting error giving the Lakehawks the 14-13 lead and the ball for match point. The Patriots dug out the serve and sent the ball back over to LSSC. Ervin went for the kill, which was again dug out leading to an attack by CF. Jasmine Kimpel and Zatoni de Oliveira went up for the block sending the ball back to the visiting side and giving their team the win.
Gray continues to shine during her freshman season reaching a new career high in points with 22.5. The outside hitter also added 13 digs for a double-double. Gabriela Hernandez joined her with 23 assists and 10 digs in the match. Gomes Martin was a setting machine, leading the way with 29 assists. Taysha Gonzalez went over the 20 dig mark for the 12th time this season.
It was the first time in program history Lake-Sumter had defeated Central Florida. CF has been ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation during the season. This marks the second time this year the Lakehawks knocked off an opponent they had not previously beaten before. On Sept. 16, LSSC took down Santa Fe College in five sets.
Head Coach, Amanda Phelps viewed the upset as a turning point in the program. "This was that defining moment that lets you know we are doing things right and moving in the right direction," said Phelps. "My goal has been to be competitive and we have been, but this solidifies the hard work and long hours these student-athletes have been putting in."
After the completion of her final home match, Mooney reflected on the big night. "All the sophomores wanted to go out with a bang and leave our mark on the program," Mooney said. "It's an amazing feeling being able to accomplish that goal and take down the current top team in the conference. The girls played amazing and the entire team was involved"
Coach Phelps summarized the night by saying, "I'm beyond excited for our sophomores. This group has been with me since day one and to go out like they did… it's a memory that will last a lifetime and they deserve it."
Lake-Sumter will finish their season on the road in New Port Richey Thursday at 6 pm against Pasco-Hernando.
