By David Rogers, BOONE, N.C. — After playing a powerful Cox Mill team on the road “… like it was the fourth round of the playoffs…” and taking the Chargers to a fifth set on Sept. 5 before losing, 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 33-31, 13-15), Watauga came home to an “off” night in its rematch with Hickory on Sept. 10, losing 3-0 to the Red Tornadoes.
BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for Slide Show mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Although the Pioneers arguably played better at home against Hickory than they did on Aug. 13, when they lost 3-0 (16-25, 19-25, 14-25), head coach Kim Pryor was not satisfied.
“We didn’t play well today,” said Pryor. “We didn’t play our game. At Cox Mill (last week) we played like it was a final four or final two (in the playoffs). Tonight we did not. We made quite a few mistakes at critical moments. It was just execution, playing together.
“The good news is that preconference (matches) prepare us for what’s to come,” added Pryor in looking ahead at Northwestern Conference competition. “We’ll hit tomorrow hard and start conference play against South Caldwell… This wasn’t one of our better nights. We need to come back strong for conference play.”
The Red Tornadoes’ head coach Jason Stephens seemed relieved after the game, knowing that in the Aug. 13 match Watauga was missing some players.
“First and foremost, Watauga was a lot better here since they had everybody healthy. It was a fun, competitive game. I’m just really proud of my kids. I thought we passed well against some really good hitters and we serve received well. We are improving as the season goes on,” said Stephens.
The Pioneers, now 3-6 as they went through non-conference play, begin Northwestern Conference competition on Sept. 11 at South Caldwell. Scheduled time for the varsity match is 6 p.m.
SELECTED WATAUGA STATS
- Emma Pastusic: 15 kills, 1 solo block, 2 block assists, 6 digs, 11 serve receives
- Ashlyn Smith: 8 kills
- Caroline Childers: 12 digs, 27 serve receives
- Lainey Gragg: 5 digs, 21 assists
- Quinn Haines: 1 service ace, 5 assists
- Lilli Combs: 1 service ace, 4 digs
- Kora Knight: 2 block assists
BONUS PHOTOS
