Polk prepares for Hendersonville clash with easy win over Owen

Its biggest game to date on the horizon, Polk County’s volleyball team made certain Tuesday to keep its focus fully on the present.

The Wolverines tuned up for Thursday’s Western Highlands Conference showdown at Hendersonville with a 3-0 sweep of Owen in WHC action at Polk County.

Polk County (9-3, 5-0) made quick work of the winless Warhorses (0-11, 0-6), rolling to a 25-5, 25-6, 25-8 victory. The Polk County junior varsity also earned a win with a 25-20, 21-25, 15-12 victory.

Polk County trailed just once in the match, that briefly in the third set, scoring the first six points of the evening and cruising the rest of the way. It was exactly the type of performance that head coach Molly Corhn hoped to see as the Wolverines prepare to face co-conference leader Hendersonville.

“Any time you can get out and get touches on the ball, you’re going to get good preparation,” Corhn said. “We’re excited for Hendersonville. Its going to be a much different speed, but I definitely think we’re ready.”

Polk County ran its offense effectively and also served well throughout the evening. In the third set, the two teams stood tied at 4-4 before Kendall Hall served 10 straight points, allowing Polk to build a 14-4 edge. The lead grew to 20-8 before Owen opted for a timeout. Ashley Love then served the final five points of the match, the winner coming on a Cameron Capozzi kill.

Capozzi had six kills in the match, with Sarah Phipps adding eight kills and Kara Overholt delivering seven kills, 22 assists, six digs and seven aces. Lily Owens had four kills and nine digs, with Savannah Ross adding five digs and four aces. Hall had 14 digs.

The game marked the midpoint of Polk County’s regular season, and Corhn is pleased with the squad’s progress entering the second half.

“We still have to work on some minor things, but it’s stuff that is easily fixed,” Corhn said. “A lot of it is things within the girls, within themselves, confidence and that type of thing.

“We have to be confident and know our talent and know our level and always play at that level. I’m extremely proud of where we’re at, and I think there are better things to come at the end of the season.”