Polk County’s volleyball squad made an impressive playoff run a year ago to reach the state 2A semifinals.
First-year head coach Kelly Risley sees no reason the Wolverines can’t do the same in 2013.
“I think when the girls are playing their game and are on, we can be as good as anybody,” Risley said.
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The Wolverines will look to take the first step toward a 2A state championship on Saturday, traveling to Franklin for a 4 p.m. opening-round playoff match. The Panthers, 10-11, finished as the second 2A team in the 3A/2A Western North Carolina Athletic Conference. Polk enters with a 14-8 record and as the third seed from the Western Highlands Conference after losing a draw with Mountain Heritage for the second seed.
Postseason play arrives at an ideal time for Polk, which won six of its final eight matches. The only negative in that run was an injury to senior Rebecca Mitchell, a key player in the front for the Wolverines, who is day-to-day. Mitchell is also one of three players who saw extended time in last season’s playoffs along with juniors Sarah Phipps and Kara Overholt.
“Rebecca definitely makes a difference for us,” Risley said. “We’re just playing it day by day right now.
“As you go on through the tournament, you start to feel more pressure, and it helps to have three players who have been out there and who are all great leaders. Hopefully they can provide a calming aspect for us when we need it.”
Overholt, the returning Western Highlands Conference player of the year, has directed a hitting attack led by Phipps. Adding all-around help for Polk has been sophomore Lilly Owens, who has provided vital defense and passing as well as an ability to score from the back row.
“Lilly is key for us with her passing,” Risley said. “We need some other players to play well. We need Ashley Love to get kills and we need Baileigh Fisher to get kills, and I think they’re ready to do that.”
Franklin’s record is a bit deceiving in that many of its losses came to quality 3A WNCAC programs such as West Henderson and Pisgah. Risley said serving well and aggressively will be vital against the Panthers.
“I haven’t seen Franklin play. I’ve talked to people who have played them, but I haven’t seen them myself,” Risley said. “We have just tried to prepare for what we think we’re going to see. That’s what we’ve done all year.
“I think the girls have done a great job this year. Being back in the playoffs is a motivating factor for them and they’re excited about playing (Saturday).”
