ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Not only is mountain volleyball some of North Carolina’s best, but it is a mindset embodied by toughness and embraced by many.

All corners of the region are covered with talent and heart. Entering the postseason, over two dozen programs that call Western North Carolina home will be taking the floor for a NCHSAA playoff match.

On the court, they’re used to battling back. In life, they now have to do the same.

“These are real-life experiences and how you adapt to them shows your character,” said Polk County’s head volleyball coach Molly Hill.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene still has many in the 828 area code in search of food, water, electricity, and shelter.

“We may not all have water, but we have each other,” added T.C. Roberson’s Michelle Wagaman.

Once safe and accounted for, Wagaman and the Rams prayed for a window where a return to play could be possible. Less than three weeks after the storm hit, they represent a beacon of hope.

As one of the few Buncombe County Schools to have potable water and electricity, T.C. Roberson became the home of resumption for Mountain Athletic Conference sports.

To sprint to the NCHSAA’s extended volleyball deadline of October 19, the league devised a three-day series of doubleheaders. By Saturday, each team was able to complete a speed run of its conference slate.

One of the programs that made the most of its opportunity was Enka. The Sugar Jets, who had won two straight at the time of Helene, extend their winning streak to seven straight to claim the split conference’s top 3A seed.

Across WNC athletics, returning to play has not been as smooth. A handful of programs have continued without the same roster that it began with.

The storm has forced families into different areas of North Carolina, and even different states. Some have elected to transfer to new schools; others raced back home just for the chance to rejoin their teammates.

A sense of normalcy

35 miles south of Asheville, reigning 1A state champion Polk County was more fortunate. The Wolverines were able to take the court less than two weeks after the storm.

One of the bigger questions was whether or not it would be able to finish its two-game series with rival Brevard.

Hurricane Helene’s initial damage made many areas of the Brevard community inaccessible. In less than three weeks, the Lady Devils not only got to host Polk, but they will get a shot at defending their 2023 state championship as one of the top seeds in the 2A western region.

Hundreds of fans poured in to witness the Brevard’s season-ending clash with the Wolverines. It was one of two home regular season games that the Lady Devils were able to play following resumption.

Sports heal communities, and the brisk Thursday night in Brevard proved that.

Emotion came in the form of honoring the team’s seven seniors. Each noted last year’s state title run as their favorite memory with the program. A standing ovation for that accomplishment followed.

The match, a thrilling five-set battle won by Polk, was an escape even if the result did not go the way that many of the home supporters would have hoped.

As Wagaman noted earlier that day at T.C. Roberson, “The return to play can be just as beneficial to the spectators as it is for the student-athletes.”

This journey was not expected, nor will it be easy. But if you know anything about ‘Mountain Volleyball’, they can parlay the road less traveled into an early November trip to Reynolds Coliseum.

Source: highschoolot.com