Leesburg, Fla. – The Lake-Sumter State College volleyball team opened up the 2022 season playing two matches on Saturday. They walked away 1-1.

Hillsborough Community College was the first opponent the Lakehawks would see on the day. The Hawks, who opened the season No. 16 in the nation in the preseason NJCAA DI poll, showed why they are one of the best teams in the nation.

LSSC stayed neck and neck with HCC throughout the first set, before the Hawks were able to pull away down the final stretch. Hillsborough then flexed their muscles in the next two sets, defeating Lake-Sumter in three straight sets (25-18, 25-6, 25-16).

Nadeshly Mojica-Rivera led the way for the Lakehawks with 14 assists. Mackenzie Meyers added six digs and five kills in the match.

The second contest of the day put two nationally ranked NJCAA DII programs head to head. The Lakehawks, who opened the poll at No. 15 and Montgomery County College (MD) who came in ranked No. 18. A back and forth battle ensued toward the end of the first set, sending it into extra points. The Lakehawks were able to overcome the late push from the Raptors and take the set, 29-27. Finding their groove in the second and third sets, LSSC took over and were able to finish off the match in just three sets (25-11, 25-20).

Yarelis Lopez Osorio posted a banner day with 16 kills and a .426 kill percentage to go along with seven digs. Kaylee Hunter came through with 14 digs and 16.5 points in just her second collegiate match. Mojica-Rivera was dishing out assists like it was going out of style with 30 in just three sets.

Lake-Sumter (1-1) will head to NJCAA DI affiliate, Santa Fe College Wednesday for their third match of the young season. Game time is set for 6 pm.