Polk County's Tali Thompson wallops a return en route to her victory Thursday in No. 4 singles

Wolverines net win over Cardinals in season opener

Staff Reports

PS Staff

A victory over a neighborhood rival – Polk County’s girls tennis team couldn’t have picked a much better result to open its 2023 season.

The Wolverines topped visiting Landrum on Thursday, recording a 6-3 win on their home courts before a large crowd of fans from both sides.

To help combat the heat plauging the area this week, the start time of the match was shifted to 5:30 p.m. The teams welcomed that relief and battled deep into the evening, especially in the No. 5 singles match. There, Mia Wolfe and Cardinal eighth grader Ilana Taylor slugged back and forth for some two hours before Wolfe emerged with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

That gave the Wolverines a 4-2 edge after singles play, and Polk picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, with Bella Sheffron and freshman Cate Brown teaming for an 8-2 victory that secured the match. With the outcome settled and darkness approaching, the No. 2 doubles match involving Wolfe was ended early.

Sheffron, Tali Thompson and Allie Quoyle each controlled their matches to help give Polk that lead after singles play.

Allie Quoyle delivered a return and a victory at No. 6 singles Thursday for Polk County

Landrum (1-1) will host Polk County’s next match on Monday as the two teams meet once again, that match slated to begin at 5 p.m.

SINGLES
1. Lexie Hardin (L) d. Sarah Vitale 6-3, 6-1; 2. Sophia Bennett (L) d. Elizabeth Vitale 6-3, 6-0; 3. Bella Sheffron (PC) d. Ella Fogle 6-0, 6-2; 4. Tali Thompson (PC) d. Abbie Leonard 6-0, 6-3; 5. Mia Wolfe (PC) d. Ilana Taylor 6-3, 6-4; 6. Allie Quoyle (PC) d. Amelia Campbell 6-1, 6-3.

DOUBLES
1. Hardin-Bennett (L) d. Vitale-Vitale 8-6; 2. Thompson-Wolfe (PC) d. Leonard-Fogle 5-3; 3. Sheffron-Cate Brown (PC) d. Campbell-Eva Burnett 8-2.