Polk County volleyball started fast Tuesday but couldn’t overcome a strong effort from Owen, falling in a five-set tiebreaker 3-2 in a matchup of Western Highlands Conference leaders.
“We just made too many mental errors,” Polk County coach Molly Hill said of the 24-26, 24-26, 25-13, 25-22, 15-11 setback. “Just too many mistakes, and not enough fixing them.”
The Wolverines (9-5, 5-2) looked to be cruising in the first game, leading by as many as eight points at 10-2 and holding a 19-12 lead late in the match. But the Warhorses (13-1, 7-0) mounted a comeback behind Mia Roland and Kenzie Robinson, coming all the way back to tie the game 24-24 on a block by Adeline West.
Get PolkSports delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our free newsletter →
Polk County, though, rallied to put it away with two late points, including a kill from Charley Dusenbury, for the 26-24 win.
Game two was much closer the whole way, with Polk eventually building a 21-15 lead. The Wolverines led 23-20 on back-to-back kills by Akeela Cunningham and Reeve Carroll before Owen rallied again, eventually tying the game at 24. Once again the Wolverines scored the last two points, taking a 26-24 win and a 2-0 lead.
Game three was all Owen, as they opened a 19-9 lead on the way to a 25-13 win to cut the deficit to 2-1. Still, Polk County looked in control of the fourth game, particularly on a stretch that made the score 20-16. Cunningham had a vicious cross-court kill, then Junie Mitchell and Carroll both hit kills straight through Owen blocks.
But the Warhorses scored nine of the game’s next 11 points, rallying all the way to a 25-22 win on West’s kill to force the tiebreaker.
Both teams came out swinging. Cunningham had three of the Wolverines’ first five points on two kills and an ace. Roland answered with two kills of her own for Owen. Tied at 5-5, Owen began to pull away, taking a 15-11 win and the victory.
Cunningham had a big night for Polk County, with 22 kills and 28 digs.
“Akeela had a great game tonight,” Hill said. “She’s pretty consistent for us all across the board. She’s a heavy arm, and she’s the defensive player who’s always diving on the ground for us. I’m always proud of her. She wants it, and she’s a good leader for us.”
Carroll added 16 kills and 25 digs. Charley Dusenbury had 24 assists, with Abby Lewis adding 17.
