Gainesville, Fla. – It was a hard fought, five set loss for the Lake-Sumter State College volleyball team Wednesday night when they opened their 2019 season against Santa Fe College.

The Lakehawks play one of the most grueling regular season schedules amongst DII programs. Wednesday was no different taking the court against the Santa Fe Saints on the road. The Saints finished 2018 with a 20-5 overall record at the NJCAA DI level, earning a trip to the FCSAA State Tournament.

Going into the match, LSSC knew it was going to be a great test to start the season. SF jumped out in front, taking the first set by a score of 25-18. Not backing down, the Lakehawks followed suit by taking set two, 25-22, and then grabbing the third set in extra points, 30-28. The third set was a back and forth battle in which neither team was willing to give up an inch.

The Saints rallied in a dominant fourth set, 25-19, to knot everything up at two sets a piece. A fifth and final set in a road gymnasium is never easy. The Lakehawks dropped the final set, 15-8.

Playing in her first collegiate match of her career, Joalys Nunez started off with a bang, collecting a double-double. The freshman boasted 18 digs, 11 kills and one block. Hannah Yarbrough also made her debut Wednesday and led the team with 24 digs while Talyn Allard and Skyler Martin ended the night with 10 kills each.

This weekend, the Lakehawks will be in action down in Tampa at the Hillsborough Community College Tournament. Friday, they will meet up with HCC for a 3 pm start time. It will be double-header action on Saturday against Florida State College – Jacksonville (10 am) and Indian River State College (2 pm).