Lakehawks Take Down Titans

Leesburg, Fla. – After two matches on the road to start the season, the Lake-Sumter State College volleyball team takes their home opener against Eastern Florida State College in four sets.

The Lakehawks opened the 2018 season with two incredibly difficult opponents. Santa Fe College and Central Florida State College are both NJCAA Division I affiliated programs who, at some point, were both nationally ranked in 2017. So far, the Saints and Patriots are a combined 13-2 on the year.

August 22 marked the season opener against Santa Fe. The Lakehawks fell in three straight sets in Gainesville. LSSC traveled to Ocala to take on CF August 28. The Patriots and Lakehawks battled back and forth in set number one, with CF pulling away at the end, 25-17. Lake-Sumter came out strong in the second set and grabbed the 25-21 win. Central Florida would take the next two sets and the match.

The Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center was full and loud for the home opener on August 30. LSSC met up with former Mid-Florida Conference foe, Eastern Florida State. Jumping out to back to back set wins, the Lakehawks were looking for the sweep. A tightly contested set three led to a 25-19 victory for the Titans. Set four was again an incredible battle between the two teams. A late run gave the Lakehawks the advantage and eventual 25-22 victory over Eastern Florida to take the match.

Emma Gray had an immediate impact on the court during her first contest of the year. The All-Conference returner led the way with 12 kills and 14.5 points. Amanda Berecz posted a season high 21 digs, while Talyn Allard notched a double-double with 10 digs and 10 kills. Gabriela Hernandez and Star Lakin both finished in double digits in assists with 19 and 17 respectively.

Lake-Sumter (1-2) will meet up with Florida State College – Jacksonville (4-3) Tuesday at home. The match is set for a 6 pm start time.