Brevard volleyball avenges lone conference loss to Polk County, finishes tied for first

BREVARD — Brevard volleyball had been waiting for a rematch with Polk County since Sept. 20.

The Wolverines (20-2, 11-1) beat the Blue Devils 3-2, the only loss they suffered during Mountain Foothills 7 conference play.

Brevard avenged the loss on Thursday, dominating from start to finish to knock off Polk County 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 19-25, 25-15). The Blue Devils (15-4, 11-1) were impressive with the conference tournament and state playoffs next.

“My team wanted this more than anything,” Brevard coach Cori Bryson said. “This was the only team to beat us the first round through the conference. And it meant just so much to them.”

Their victory also meant that Brevard and Polk County finished tied for first in the conference. Brevard athletic director said Mick Galloway said the No. 1 seed for the Mountain Foothills 7 conference tournament will be determined based on whoever’s name is drawn out of a hat Saturday at the conference coaches’ meeting. Polk County's name was drawn, so it will be the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

Brevard recorded 47 kills, 41 assists, 15 aces and nine total blocks. Outside hitters Mackenzie Baldridge, Ella Scott and right-side hitter Meleah Foster all turned in impressive performances. Scott finished with 12 kills and 16 digs. Foster tallied seven kills, five aces and six total blocks.

“The only thing that keeps coming to mind is it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Bryson said. “And my girls are there. We’re peaking at the right time. And I think it’s going to carry us really deep into the playoffs.”

Brevard made lots of adjustments after falling to Polk County in the first matchup. Bryson said they focused on getting the Wolverines out of system and blocking shots.

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Bryson also made sure to give Scott a shoutout in the locker room after the game. She said that was the best match she had turned in all season long.

“She was attacking the ball wherever we put the ball,” Bryson said. “And that’s what we got to have as we are going into the postseason is we got to have multiple assets on the front row, and I think we got it.”

Baldridge knew Scott was capable of having that kind of performance.

“I think she just turned it on,” she said. “It was always inside of her. She just needed to get it out.”

Brevard’s setter Vera Pandolfo managed to accumulate 24 assists in the match. Her 18th assist gave her 1,000 assists in her career.

“She puts the ball where the hitters need it,” Bryson said. “She makes adjustments. She takes what the hitters tell her and make it better the next time every time.”

This likely won’t be the last time Brevard and Polk County face off this season. They’ll likely meet in the conference championship game.

“We’ll keep making adjustments as we go,” Bryson said. “My defense is getting stronger every practice. My block is getting stronger and that’s what I think is carrying us through.”

Wolverines ready to get redemption

Polk County endured a frightening moment in the fourth set. Star middle blocker Morgan Yoder was slow to get up after a point.

Coach Molly Hill and a trainer came over to attend. She eventually got up and stayed in the game.

Hill said afterward that she’ll be fine and that she just tweaked her ankle.

She added that she isn’t too worried about losing to Brevard and incurring the team’s second loss of the season.

“We were nervous,” Hill said. “There’s a lot of pressure on these girls. At the end of the day, they are 15-, 16-, 17-year-old girls, and that’s a lot to handle.”

Hill told her team after the game that it’s about redemption now. She said Polk County will likely face Brevard again in the conference tournament and that it’s important to beat them to earn the best playoff seeding possible.

“It’s about getting that confidence back, focusing on what we need to focus on,” Hill said. “Going out there, it’s a redemption thing. Let’s make our name known and go out there and take it.”

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Brevard volleyball beats Polk County to avenge lone conference loss