By David Rogers. MARION, N.C. — Led by outside hitters Emma Pastusic and Ashlyn Smith, with 21 and 11 kills, respectively, the Watauga women’s volleyball team cruised to yet another 3-0 sweep in Northwestern Conference play on Oct. 7 (25-16, 25-13, 25-22).
In the lopsided win, the Pioneers’ head coach Kim Pryor was able to get valuable, on-court playing time for 14 of her athletes, all seeing participation in at least one set. The win put Watauga in the drivers seat for next week’s conference tournament with the likely No. 1 seed and automatic pass to the semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in a return trip to Marion where McDowell will host the semis and finals on consecutive nights, Oct. 14 and 15.
Going into the final regular season match vs. St. Stephens on Oct. 9 (“Senior Night”), Watauga is 20-1 overall and 9-0 in Northwestern Conference play.
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS
Kills: Emma Pastusic (21), Ashlyn Smith (11), Kora Knight (7), Gracyn Phelps (2), Addie Stough (2), Lainey Gragg (1), Athena Elliott (1)
Service Aces: Lainey Gragg (3), Ashlyn Smith (3), Caroline Childers (2), Emma Pastusic (1), Jillian Martin (1), Lilli Combs (1)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (39), Caroline Childers (5)
Blocks: Addie Stough (1)
Digs: Caroline Childers (25), Lilli Combs (14), Ashlyn Smith (10), Lainey Gragg (10). Emma Pastusic (8), Ava Zaragoza (3), Kora Knight (1)
Serve Receives: Caroline Childers 24, Ashlyn Smith 15), Emma Pastusic (6), Lilli Combs (1)
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger version and Slide Show Mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
