Wolverine defense grounds Jets’ hitters in four-set win

For slightly more than a set Tuesday night, Enka’s big-hitting attack pushed Polk County to the limit.

And then the Wolverines pushed back.

Its defensive effectiveness slowing down the Jets, Polk County roared back to win the final three sets and take a 3-1 decision in a non-conference match at Polk County.

The Wolverines captured a 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 victory, improving their record to 14-5 with four regular-season games remaining. Polk County returns to Western Highlands Conference play on Thursday, traveling to Owen.

Enka (10-6) had a relatively straightforward offensive approach in the game  – set the ball, typically outside, to hitters SallyAnne Johnson and Kloyee Anderson. The duo were the focal point of the Jets’ attack, and deservedly so – their offense carried Enka to the first-set win and a 7-2 lead in the second set.

But that’s when Polk County began to fight back, beginning to block the Jet duo at the net or dig their hitting attempts to begin rallies. The Wolverines tied the set at 9-9 on a Cameron Capozzi kill, then took a 10-9 lead on an ace by Ashley Love, who played a key role at the net for the Wolverines.

The teams traded points until Enka took a 17-16 lead. But a block by Love, then four straight kills by Love, Sarah Phipps, Love again and Kara Overholt gave the Wolverines a 22-17 lead. Polk then made a remarkable defensive stop that ended with Kendall Hall bumping a shot from the back row that hit the net and trickled over for a 23-17 advantage. Phipps hammered home the winning point moments later.

Enka built a 10-6 lead in the third set, but again the Wolverines rallied, taking an 11-10 lead behind the serving of Savannah Ross and two Love hits. The match see-sawed, reaching a 23-23 tie before a Phipps kill and an Enka error gave the set to the Wolverines.

The fourth set, also a close one, tied at 16 before a Love kill and then service ace helped push Polk to a 19-16 lead. Enka got to within 22-20, but a Lily Owens kill, and then two Love kills wrapped up the match.

“Though it’s a non-conference win, it’s always good to get some confidence as we prepare for the playoffs,” said Polk County head coach Molly Hill (formerly Corhn before her marriage on Sunday).

“One of our big goals tonight was to block well. In the first game we struggled with that, but in the second and third games we really came on. Our middles worked really, really hard. They came off the court huffing and puffing and red-faced. I’m really proud of them. We had a good blocking game.”

Love had nine kills and two aces for Polk County, which also got a solid all-around game from Overholt with six kills, 44 assists, 14 digs and two aces. Owens and Phipps each had 13 kills, with Owens adding 18 digs and Phipps 11 digs. Kendall Hall, one of four freshmen to play in the game for Polk, had 34 digs.