The hunter is now the hunted.
There’s a lot of familiar around Polk County’s volleyball team this season. Head coach Molly Hill starts her 11th season, and the Wolverines return nearly all of the starting lineup from last season’s 28-3 squad.
But what isn’t usual is the position in which Polk finds itself heading into Monday’s season opener at A.C. Reynolds. The Wolverines are defending state 1A champions, putting them squarely in the crosshairs for opponents who will be eager to take down the reigning champs.
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Throw in sky-high expectations for the program, given the quantity and quality of its returnees, and there’s most definitely a different feel entering the fall season.
“There’s a lot of pressure,” Hill admits. “I think I feel the pressure, I think the girls definitely feel the pressure.
“There’s always pressure to do well and do well in our conferece and to make it far in the playoffs. That’s just the tone that we’ve set with this program. But now, this year, it’s definitely added. But it’s a good pressure, and I think that we’re all handling it and kind of thriving off of it.”
Dealing with the pressure and expectations is also much easier with a roster loaded with talent and experience. Polk County’s front line includes five seniors, three of those returning for their fourth varsity season. There are returnees at setter and in the back line. Nine players saw action during Polk County’s playoff run last season, and the roster includes all-state selections and a state championship MVP.
“Everyone is going to be gunning for us, but the good news is that we are looking really strong,” Hill said. “We’ve got a ton of returners coming back. I’ve got a loaded roster, so that’s exciting.
“They’re built for this. They do well under pressure and in high-intensity games. They play as a team. We’re only (a couple of weeks) in and it’s already very exciting.”
You have to go back to the shortened 2020 season to find a roster that did not include Mia Bradley, Sophia Overholt and Mia Bradley. It undoubtedly feels to opponents that the trio has been around forever, and they’re back for a final run as Wolverines.
The three have accounted for almost 2,000 kills in three seasons, with Yoder and Overholt both likely to surpass 1,000 career kills at some point this season. Overholt topped 1,000 digs last season and may well be one of the top defensive players in the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference, but as she showed during Polk’s postseason run and in the state final, where she was named MVP, she is capable of dominating matches on the outside. Yoder is a force in the middle, and Bradley has developed into a lethal attacker who can also dig and pass effectively from the back.
All three players will likely play all around the Polk rotation this season.
Senior Kylie Lewis returns for her third season and proved a factor at middle hitter – expectations are high for her contributions this season. Senior Lexi Beiler will play on the right side, and Hill also expects junior Akeela Cunningham and sophomore Beija Olivari to contribute as well.
Guiding the offense will be junior Charley Dusenbury, who steps in as the team’s primary setter to replace graduate Zaelea Eller. Senior Hayden Blackwell will move into the libero role vacated by graduate Elena Carroll.
“We came into this season knowing those roles,” Hill said. “The leadership that I’ve seen, especially from those seniors, it’s been really exciting. They’re not the super chatty, loud group that I’ve had before as far as seniors, but they’re just really stepping into that leadership role.
“They’re going at their own pace and their own way, but it’s working, and it’s cool to see that.”
Asyln Scruggs is expected to also see time as a setter, supporting Dusenbury in what Hill sees as the critical position to making Polk’s offense flow.
“Aslyn has come up from JV, and she’s working really hard,” Hill said. “I love her work ethic and I love her attitude. I think setting is the hardest position in volleyball – you have to touch every single ball, you have to run the offense and you have to think about so much. It’s a lot of decisions to make.
“I’m pretty tough on our setters and I expect a lot out of them. It’s been beneficial for Charley having that experience and being able to step right in and run our offense. It’s cool to see her working with Aslyn and getting her up to speed.”
Junie Mitchell, Riyah Schroyer, Naomi Martinez and Mahaley Wilson are expected to work in the back line, with Scruggs and Cunningham also occasionally joining that group.
“We have a ton of people that we can put in the back row and give them some opportunities on that back line,” Hill said. “Riyah, Mahaley, Junie, Naomi. I can put Aslyn back there as well.
“Lots of opportunities, and I love that. I love being able to change things up, I love being able to get people in and give them opportunities. That should be interesting.”
It’s not often a team wins a state title without even winning its conference. It’s even more rare that two teams from the same conference claim state championships. Mountain Foothills 7 Conference champion Brevard brought home the 2A title last season, and the Blue Devils should be title threats again this season, with Cherokee transfer Arden Arkansas joining a group of returnees that includes Claire Wilson, Morgan Baldridge and Emma Powell.
Cherokee, the only team to win a set against Polk County in the Wolverines’ playoff run, will be a team to watch once the playoffs begin, with Joscelyn Stamper leading a talented returning group. There will be other threats in the West – Rosman, Cornerstone Charter, Uwharrie Charter and others.
All want what Polk County owns – a state championship trophy.
The Wolverines wouldn’t mind adding another one, either.
“There’s still that same kind of excitement and anticipation,” Hill said. “This group, they have played for so long and played together, and so much has been (expected) of this group, they’re just thriving.”
