For one set Wednesday, Polk County Middle looked like a team feeling the weight of the moment.
Then the nerves disappeared – and so did Macon Middle’s chance to extend its four-year reign atop the Blue Ridge Conference.
Polk shook off a 25-20 opening-set loss and dominated the final two, winning 25-11, 15-5 in a BRC Tournament semifinal at Polk Middle to advance to Monday’s championship match.
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“For this team it’s just a matter of shaking off nerves,” Polk Middle head coach Kenny Hall said. “It seems like everyone has to get that first mistake or two out of the way. After that this is a hard bunch to stop.”
Macon, winner of the past four BRC championships, held a 12-9 advantage midway through the first set and later stretched the margin to 20-15 before closing out the 25-20 win.
The match changed dramatically from there.
Polk led 6-3 in the second set, then reeled off seven unanswered points to make it 13-3. The Wolverines never allowed Macon back into the set, rolling to a 25-11 victory to force a deciding third.
“They understand the importance of receive errors and service errors,” Hall said. “Once that got cleaned up the momentum shifted in a big way.”
That momentum carried directly into the third set. Tilly Harris served Polk to an 8-0 start, immediately putting Macon in a deep hole. The Panthers never recovered, and Polk finished off the 15-5 victory to end Macon’s season at 9-5.
The win improved Polk Middle to 15-1 and moved the Wolverines into the BRC championship match against unbeaten West Division champion Smoky Mountain Middle (14-0).
Hall again credited the home crowd for helping create the atmosphere.
“Once again the gym was electric today,” he said. “Even Macon’s parents were commenting on it to me after the game. So thanks to all of our students, cheerleaders, and supporters for coming out today. We’re going to need it one final time on Monday.”
Polk Middle will host Smoky Mountain Middle on Monday at 4:30 p.m. for the Blue Ridge Conference championship.
