Polk County’s rebuilt tennis program proved Monday it’s far more than a one-player operation.
With five wins in six singles matches, the Wolverines rolled past North Wilkes 5-1 in the first round of the state 3A playoffs, extending a season of growth and sending Polk into Wednesday’s second-round matchup at Hendersonville.
The victory marked the first 3A postseason win for any Polk County program. The school moved to the 3A level this season as part of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s realignment of schools into eight classifications.
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Senior Cate Brown, Polk’s lone returning player with varsity experience, set the tone with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory over Ava Overcash at No. 1 singles. But it was the depth behind her that delivered the knockout punch against the Pioneers (2-13).
Paige White dispatched Lexi Cornia 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2. Virginia Then battled to a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 3. Alexandria Smith cruised 6-1, 6-3 at No. 6.
The evening’s most dramatic match came at No. 4, where Malie Robinette survived a three-set thriller. After taking the first set 7-5, Robinette fell in a second-set tiebreaker 7-5, forcing a 10-point super tiebreaker. There, she steadied herself and closed out Laney Moffitt 10-5 to clinch Polk’s fifth point and the team victory.
North Wilkes’ lone win came at No. 5, where Kirsten McLean defeated Evangeline Petoia 6-3, 6-1. With the match decided, doubles were not played.
“This season has been one of the most rewarding I’ve coached,” said Polk County head coach Tracy Becker. “We came in with only one returning player, Cate Brown, who had varsity experience from last year, so I really wasn’t sure what to expect. But these girls worked incredibly hard and showed so much growth from the start of the season to the finish.”
That growth will face its sternest test Wednesday at Hendersonville. The Western Highlands Conference champion Bearcats swept Polk twice during the regular season. But the Wolverines (5-6) have improved steadily since those losses, and Monday’s convincing victory showed a team peaking at the right time.
“I’ve seen grit, hustle and determination in every match,” Becker said. “They supported each other, stayed positive and continued to improve each week. We’re still a young team, but the effort and attitude these players brought to the court has built a solid foundation for the future.”
That foundation will be tested further Friday when four Wolverines compete in the 3A West Regional at Belmont Abbey College. Brown and White will represent Polk in singles play, while Robinette and Then will team up in doubles. Match play begins at 1 p.m.
The program’s growth comes at an opportune time. Becker hopes to launch a middle school feeder program this spring to develop future players and build on this season’s momentum.
“We plan to keep working hard in the offseason and come back even stronger next year,” Becker said. “With several returning players and a group of rising seniors, I’m excited about what’s ahead for Polk County girls tennis.”
Anyone interested in joining the program — including middle school students — can contact Becker at 828-808-4985 or [email protected].
