TENNIS: Wolverines dominate Draughn in 1A playoff opener

Published 12:05 pm Thursday, October 24, 2024

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Tracy Becker enjoyed a smile Wednesday afternoon, probably much sooner than she expected.

“This is fun,” Polk County’s head tennis coach said as she watched the closing points of the Wolverines’ singles matches against Draughn in the opening round of the state 1A dual team playoffs.

Polk County swept the afternoon’s six singles matches, negating the need for doubles with the 6-0 victory over the visiting Wildcats.

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Polk County (9-2), the fourth seed in the 1A West bracket, advances to Monday’s second round, where the Wolverines will host fifth-seeded North Carolina School of Science and Math-Morganton (7-0). NCSSM-M defeated Elkin 8-1 on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s win proved much more relaxing for Becker than last year’s playoff opener, in which the Wolverines bested Elkin 5-4 in a match that ended in near-darkness. Polk started this year’s opener an hour earlier but still bested Draughn (6-5) well before sunset.

Cate Brown’s 6-0, 6-0 defeat of Peyton Dale at No. 4 singles set the tone for the Wolverines. With No. 1 player Bella Sheffron shouting encouragement from her court, all six Polk players dominated the day’s play, with no Draughn player winning more than five games.