RALEIGH — Maybe instead of this being the end of the road for Polk County, it marked the beginning of a new journey.

Maybe amid the tears that came slowly, but then flowed for the Wolverines in the wake of their state championship loss Saturday to Falls Lake Academy, sat the start of a path that will lead Polk County back to Reynolds Colisuem. And back again and again.

Just maybe.

“We fought, we tried,” said Polk County head coach Molly Hill. “We’ll be back.”

The battle of the debutant state finalists fell the Firebirds’ way in three sets, 25-19, 28-26, 25-22, denying Polk County a state title in its first championship appearance.

A charter school in its fifth year of operation, Falls Lake (24-5) delivered a title-worthy performance, excelling in all phases but especially with passing and setting that often led to success at the net. The Firebirds repeatedly frustrated Polk County with off-speed attacks, tipping shots just over or past Wolverine blocks and out of reach of defenders.

Polk County (20-9), meanwhile, took into the second set to find the offensive rhythm it displayed throughout its two-week playoff run. Perhaps playing a fourth road game in eight days, and the long bus rides to and from those matches, finally took a toll. Or perhaps the bright lights of the moment unsettled nerves.

Either way, the Wolverines left Raleigh as unhappy with their play as the outcome.

“We gave it our all,” said Polk County senior Ansley Lynch. “I don’t think we played Polk County volleyball. I don’t think they saw the real Polk.”

Falls Lake sophomore Chase Teal notched a triple-double — 10 kills, 18 assists and 15 digs — to earn most valuable player honors. Lauer finished with 11 kills, with Roman and Castillo each adding eight kills. Sydney Waldman had 32 assists for Polk, with Lynch posting 13 digs.

None of that mattered postgame to a Polk team that came to Raleigh determined to capture a state title.

But as the tears began to dry, as the hugs from the large Polk County contingent that showed up to back the Wolverines began to soothe the hurt feelings, pride began to take hold.

And, maybe, the first steps on that new path.

“We 100 percent plan on coming back,” Hill said. “Volleyball is growing in Polk County. We’ve developed a program. People know where Polk County is now and they know how good our program is, and that was one of my goals when I came here.

“This is definitely not an end. We’ll be back.”

– Submitted by PolkSports.com