Polk netters to host North Wilkes to open 3A playoffs

Polk County will open the 3A state dual team girls tennis playoffs on Monday at home against North Wilkes.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association released pairings Friday for the upcoming postseason. This fall marks both the first team that the state has had schools playing in eight classifications and also the first team that the NCHSAA’s Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) has been used to exclusively determine qualifiers and seedings.

Polk County (4-6) received the 13th seed in the 3A West bracket and will host 20th-seeded North Wilkes (2-12). The Vikings are led by senior Ava Overcash, who will play No. 1 singles and doubles.

With a win, Polk County would advance to a second-round matchup at Hendersonville. The Bearcats, Western Highlands Conference champions, won both meetings this season with the Wolverines.

Monday’s matchup will be Polk County’s first playoff competition as a 3A school.