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POLK COUNTY—The hunter is now the hunted.

There’s a lot of familiarity around Polk County’s volleyball team this season. Head coach Molly Hill starts her 11th season, and the Wolverines return nearly all of the starting lineup from last season’s 28-3 squad.

But what isn’t usual is the position in which Polk finds itself heading into Monday’s season opener at A.C. Reynolds. The Wolverines are defending state 1A champions, putting them squarely in the crosshairs for opponents who will be eager to take down the reigning champs.

Throw in sky-high expectations for the program, given the quantity and quality of its returnees, and there’s most definitely a different feel entering the fall season.

“There’s a lot of pressure,” Hill admits. “I think I feel the pressure. I think the girls definitely feel the pressure.

“There’s always pressure to do well and do well in our conference and to make it far in the playoffs. That’s just the tone that we’ve set with this program. But now, this year, it’s definitely added. But it’s a good pressure, and I think that we’re all handling it and kind of thriving off of it.”

Dealing with the pressure and expectations is also much easier with a roster loaded with talent and experience. Polk County’s front line includes five seniors, three of those returning for their fourth varsity season. There are returnees at setter and in the back line. Nine players saw action during Polk County’s playoff run last season, and the roster includes all-state selections and a state championship MVP.

“Everyone is going to be gunning for us, but the good news is that we are looking really strong,” Hill said. “We’ve got a ton of returners coming back. I’ve got a loaded roster, so that’s exciting.

“They’re built for this. They do well under pressure and in high-intensity games. They play as a team. We’re only (a couple of weeks) in, and it’s already very exciting.”

You have to go back to the shortened 2020 season to find a roster that did not include Mia Bradley, Sophia Overholt and Mia Bradley. It undoubtedly feels to opponents that the trio has been around forever, and they’re back for a final run as Wolverines.

The three have accounted for almost 2,000 kills in three seasons, with Yoder and Overholt both likely to surpass 1,000 career kills at some point this season. Overholt topped 1,000 digs last season and may well be one of the top defensive players in the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference, but as she showed during Polk’s postseason run and in the state final, where she was named MVP, she is capable of dominating matches on the outside. Yoder is a force in the middle, and Bradley has developed into a lethal attacker who can also dig and pass effectively from the back.

All three players will likely play all around the Polk rotation this season.

Senior Kylie Lewis returns for her third season and proved a factor at middle hitter – expectations are high for her contributions this season. Senior Lexi Beiler will play on the right side, and Hill also expects junior Akeela Cunningham and sophomore Beija Olivari to contribute as well.