By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — In one of the closest, most hard-fought matches of the 2025 Watauga varsity women’s volleyball season, the Pioneers overcame the challenge of “not playing their best” to sweep No. 8-seeded Sun Valley (Monroe, N.C.) on Oct. 23, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21).
BONUS PHOTOS at bottom of article (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)
Watauga led for most of all three sets, but the visiting Spartans rallied to tie the score at critical moments, including at 19-19 in the third and decisive set. Neither team led by as many as four points throughout the contest, which was punctuated by several long, exciting rallies featuring dramatic digs and blocks by both sides.
For the Pioneers, there was an element of “revenge” in this win. When this year’s seniors were freshmen during the 2022-23 academic year, it was the No. 3-seeded Sun Valley that bounced the Northwestern Conference champions and No. 2-seeded out of the state playoffs, the 4A quarterfinals, 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 31-29, 25-16). Back then, the thrilling, hard-fought battle also had long rallies and dramatic play on both sides of the net, but left the Pioneers with the bitter taste of disappointment and what could have been while Sun Valley went on to be the state runners-up, losing to Millbrook, the No. 2-seed in the 4A East bracket, 3-0.
This time, though, Watauga turned the tables on the Spartans. In the electric atmosphere of Lentz Eggers Gym with a large student section behind them, the Pioneers were up for any challenge.
Former Watauga head football coach Bill Mauldin was in the stands and pointed out to High Country Sports, “When a team doesn’t play their best and still sweeps an opponent, that’s a testament to how good they are.”
The Pioneers’ setter, Lainey Gragg again was proficient in distributing the attack opportunities to Watauga’s multiple offensive weapons, led by Emma Pastusic’s 20 kills. but with three other Pioneers recording eight kills each: junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith, Gragg and senior middle blocker Kora Knight.
If there was an area where the Pioneers were visibly lacking against the Spartans, it was at the net, defensively, where the recorded only one block. Instead, they relied on stellar play by back row players to dig out the frequent offensive attacks by Sun Valley and keep the ball in play. Caroline Childers (15 digs) and Ashlyn Smith (14 digs) were at the forefront of that defensive effort, but Lilli Combs (9 digs), Pastusic (8) and Gragg (6) were also key defensive contributors.
In advancing to the state 6A quarterfinals (also the Regional semifinals), Watauga is the last remaining Northwestern 6A/7A Conference member still in the hunt for the coveted state championship crown. They will face the No. 4-seeded North Iredell Raiders in the quarterfinals, which advanced by defeating No. 5-seeded Alexander Central.
Earlier this season (Aug. 23), Watauga defeated North Iredell in Lentz Eggers Gym, 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-12), but all bets are off in the state playoffs after all the teams have had a regular season to improve and “gel.” For North Iredell to have advanced this far in the playoffs, the Pioneers will have to be at the top of their game if the mission is to advance to the Final Four and eventual state championship.
In other 6A West bracket action, No.2-seeded Kings Mountain advanced with a 3-0 sweep of Asheville (25-22, 25-16, 25-20), while No. 3 Northern Guilford defeated Southeast Guilford, 3-0.
According to MaxPreps, Watauga’s Round 4 matchup with North Iredell is scheduled for 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25.
SELECTED GAME STATS
Kills: Emma Pastusic (20), Ashlyn Smith (8), Lainey Gragg (8), Kora Knight (8), Julia Rowan (3), Addie Stough (1)
Service Aces: Ashlyn Smith (3), Graycie Collins (1), Lainey Gragg (1)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (26), Caroline Childers (2)
Digs: Caroline Childers (15), Ashlyn Smith (14), Lilli Combs (9), Emma Pastusic (8), Lainey Gragg (6), Addie Stough (2)
Blocks: Julia Rowan (1)
BONUS PHOTOS (Click any image for larger view and Slide Show Mode)
