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Sophia Overholt will have one less thing to worry about during her senior season at Polk County.

The Wolverine junior has verbally committed to continue her volleyball career at USC Upstate, making the decision this week to join the Spartans’ program.

Named the Most Valuable Player in Polk County’s state 1A championship win in November, Overholt recorded 285 kills and 371 digs during the season. She recorded her 1,000th career dig in the 1A West Regional final, excelling in both the front and back row for the Wolverines.

“It means a lot,” Overholt said of her commitment and the chance to play Division I volleyball. “I’ve been working so hard these past I don’t even know how many years, and to finally get to this point is so great.”

A member of the Big South Conference, USC Upstate posted a 12-14 record last season under first-year head coach Ali Skayhan. The chance to help shape the program under Skayhan appealed to Overholt.

“The coaches are amazing, and so is the team culture,” she said. “The coaches are starting new, and they’re trying to develop their program, and I want to be part of that.

“And I wanted all my family and friends to be able to come and watch.”

Currently competing as a member of Polk County’s track and field program while also playing club volleyball in Spartanburg, Overholt drew interest from a number of college programs. The chance to alleviate some of that recruiting pressure helped lead to her decision.

“It’s been really tough with all the recruiting,” she said. “It’s been a weight load on me, so to finally commit and find my school and be happy with it, it’s just been a lot.

“Now I can just go and enjoy and not have to worry about it.”

Overholt said USC Upstate coaches plan to use her as a defensive specialist. Before she can begin her Spartan career, though, there’s the matter of her senior season as a Wolverine and accomplishing one more goal.

“I want to hopefully win another state championship,” Overholt said.