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A victory over a neighborhood rival – Polk County’s girls tennis team couldn’t have picked a much better result to open its 2023 season.

The Wolverines topped visiting Landrum on Thursday, recording a 6-3 win on their home courts before a large crowd of fans from both sides.

To help combat the heat plaguing the area this week, the start time of the match was shifted to 5:30 p.m. The teams welcomed that relief and battled deep into the evening, especially in the No. 5 singles match. There, Mia Wolfe and Cardinal eighth grader Ilana Taylor slugged back and forth for some two hours before Wolfe emerged with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

That gave the Wolverines a 4-2 edge after singles play, and Polk picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, with Bella Sheffron and freshman Cate Brown teaming for an 8-2 victory that secured the match. With the outcome settled and darkness approaching, the No. 2 doubles match involving Wolfe was ended early.

Sheffron, Tali Thompson and Allie Quoyle each controlled their matches to help give Polk that lead after singles play.

Landrum (1-1) will host Polk County’s next match on Monday as the two teams meet once again, that match slated to begin at 5 p.m.