TENNIS: Wolverines dominate Draughn in 1A playoff opener – The Tryon Daily Bulletin

Tracy Becker was happy to see a smile Wednesday afternoon, probably much sooner than expected.

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

Polk County won the afternoon’s six singles matches and eliminated the need for doubles matches with a 6-0 victory over the visiting Wildcats.

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 far more relaxing for Becker than last year’s playoff opener, in which the Wolverines beat Elkin 5-4 and the game almost ended in darkness. Polk started this year’s opener an hour earlier, but defeated Draughn well before sunset (6-5).

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