Polk County bounced back from a Monday setback at Asheville Christian with a straight-set win Thursday, sweeping Western Highlands Conference opponent Avery 25-20, 25-22, 25-16.
The victory improved the Wolverines to 13-11 overall and 9-2 in conference play. Avery slipped to 10-8 and 4-7 in league competition.
Senior Akeela Cunningham led Polk County’s balanced attack with 22 kills, 20 digs, three aces and a block. Sophomore Reeve Carroll added 18 kills, 14 digs and four aces, while senior Charley Dusenbury recorded five kills, 15 digs and 20 assists. Sophomore Abby Lewis contributed 23 assists.
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The opening set established the match’s tone. After trading points early, Polk County used a 9-4 surge to stretch a 15-13 edge into a 24-17 lead. Avery trimmed the deficit to 24-20 before Jill Brown’s kill closed the set.
Cunningham’s serving sparked a key run in the second frame, pushing Polk to a 12-6 advantage. Avery briefly rallied to take a one-point lead, but the Wolverines regained momentum and closed the set on a Dusenbury kill for a 25-22 finish.
Carroll then controlled the third set from the service line, fueling a stretch that built an 18-10 cushion. Polk maintained command from there, with sophomore Elena Greve sealing the sweep with a kill.
Greve finished with four kills and two blocks. Brown added two kills and two digs, and the defensive effort also included Aslyn Scruggs with 11 digs, Junie Mitchell with six and Riyah Schroyer with four.
The Wolverines will host Hendersonville on Tuesday in their regular-season finale before entering postseason play.
