Barber, Ballentine split matches at 1A West Regional

Polk County’s doubles team of Banks Barber and Riley Ballentine came ever so close Friday to earning a trip to the state 1A championships.

Barber and Ballentine won their first match in the 1A West Regional at Elkin Municipal Park, claiming a 6-1, 6-1 win over a team from Gray Stone Day. But the duo fell just short of advancing to the semifinals, falling 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) to a team from Thomas Jefferson.

“A great day of tennis,” said Polk County head coach Tracy Becker. “The boys fought hard in the second set. I think the long break between matches was a challenge.”

The two will be part of Polk County’s lineup on Monday when the Wolverines travel to Gray Stone Day for the opening round of state 1A playoff competition.