Tampa, Fla. – The Lake-Sumter State College volleyball program opened up their season on the road competing in the Hillsborough Community College Tournament in Tampa over the weekend.
Friday, the Lakehawks took on the Hawks of HCC. Hillsborough jumped out to an early lead and never took their foot off the gas pedal, winning in three straight sets. Hannah Yarbrough and Joalys Nunez grabbed 13 digs and 12 digs respectfully between the two. Star Lakin was dishing out the assists and totaled 14 in the match.
Florida State College – Jacksonville was up next for LSSC Saturday morning. The Blue Wave were able to handle the Lakehawks and come away with a three set victory. Although the game did not go the way the team wanted, 16 different Lakehawks were able to get time on the court and gain invaluable experience.
The final match of the weekend came against Indian River State College. LSSC hit the court running and grabbed the first set by a score of 25-22. Battling back and taking set two, the Pioneers knotted things up after the 25-21 victory. Set three came down to the wire with Lake-Sumter taking a 2-1 lead after winning the set, 25-23. After a furious comeback in the fourth set, the match was all tied up at 2-2 and headed to a fifth and final set. It was a back and forth battle with the Pioneers outlasting the Lakehawks, 15-13, to take the set and the match.
Yarbrough boasted a stellar game on defense with 25 digs to her credit while Skylar Martin led the way with 12 kills in a losing effort. Nareliz Medina along with Lakin combined for 42 of the teams 47 assists in the match.
All three opponents over the weekend were DI programs and the losses should not have an effect on the team's national ranking at the DII level. Lake-Sumter will continue their road schedule to open the 2019 season and head to (DI) No. 7 Polk State Tuesday for a 7 pm match.