Brevard volleyball defeats Polk County in clash between state title contenders. Here are our takeaways.
BREVARD – Brevard volleyball senior outside hitter Ella Scott said the main lesson the team learned from a run to the NCHSAA 2A state semifinals last season was to not take games for granted.
“We learned that you got to push to the end,” Scott said. “There is no letting up. And that every single game is preparing you for it.”
The Blue Devils (14-2, 6-0) had a good test for a potential state championship run Tuesday night. They beat previously undefeated Polk County (13-1, 5-1) 3-1 at home.
Here are our takeaways from a clash between these two state title contenders.
Brevard's defense slows down Polk County’s dominant offense
Polk County coach Molly Hill has a plethora of options she can call on offense. Junior middle blocker Morgan Yoder, senior outside hitter Ada Kelley, junior outside hitter Mia Bradley and junior outside hitter Sophia Overholt have all recorded over 50 kills this season.
Brevard disrupted their offensive rhythm with blocks and strong digging.
“We’ve been talking about hands on the ball,” coach Cori Bryson said. “We knew who their big hitters were. And I think my girls did a great job of knowing where the ball was going.”
Scott said the key to digging up so many balls on Tuesday goes back to giving 100% in every practice.
Ella Scott and Meleah Foster have risen to the occasion
Brevard graduated several key players from last year’s team like outside hitter Mackensie Baldridge, middle hitter Elizabeth Chapman and setter Vera Pandolfo.
Scott and Meleah Foster are two players who have stepped up.
Bryson said Scott does everything for the Blue Devils.
“She’s the leader on the court,” Bryson said. “She’s the voice on the court. She finds the shot. She keeps swinging. She just never gives up.”
Scott said Foster has improved her hitting and blocking the most this year.
“I think that this season confidence is such a big thing for Meleah,” Scott said. “And I think everybody in the community has kind of seen her blossom into such a great player.”
Polk County focused on improving its mental toughness
Polk County looked sluggish right out of the gate, losing the first two sets 25-15 and 26-24. The Wolverines won the third set, but it was too little, too late by then.
Hill said Polk County needs to improve its mental toughness after the loss.
“There were just moments where we kind of folded under the pressure,” Hill said. “And we got in our heads, and we were not mentally tough.”
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She encouraged her team in the locker room to have a short memory after making an error.
Polk County will have a chance to avenge Tuesday’s loss when it hosts Brevard at the end of the season.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Brevard volleyball defeats Polk County in clash of state title contenders. Here are our takeaways.
