By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Led by 5-8 senior outside hitter Aaliyah Mitchell, the Sun Valley Spartans stopped Watauga’s advance through the NCHSAA 4A state volleyball tournament on Oct. 29, 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 31-29. 25-16), at Lentz Eggers Gym.
The host Pioneers captured the first set, but Mitchell and teammate Hailey Pearce, a 6-3 senior outside hitter, provided ample firepower in driving Sun Valley to the win — and a ticket to host the 4A West championship match as the highest remaining seed in the tournament.
Although the Spartans seemed to take control in the second set, Watauga fought gamely throughout the third, sending it to overtime and a 31-29 finish in favor of the visitors from Monroe, N.C. With apparent momentum and an attack that kept Watauga off-balance for much of the final three sets, Sun Valley left little doubt as to which was the better team on this day, at least, in winning the fourth and final set.
There were tears aplenty among the Pioneers as it sunk in that their momentous season had been brought to an end, but the many fans applauded the Watauga players enthusiastically for a terrific season and never-say-die effort.
“I am so proud of these girls for this great season we’ve had,” said head coach Kim Pryor after the final point had been scored. “Sun Valley’s No. 8 is really good and they kept us out of our normal attack.”
Starting out as the No. 3 seed for the 4A West bracket of the tournament, Sun Valley will now host Cornelius, N.C.-based Hough High School in the West final. Hough advanced to the final by beating South Iredell on Oct. 29, 3-1 (25-18, 25-10, 29-31, 25-15).
In the 4A East bracket, No. 4 Middle Creek lost to No. 8 Cardinal Gibbons, 3-2, while No. 2 Millbrook advanced past No. 11 Green Level, 3-1.
SELECTED WATAUGA INDIVIDUAL STATS
- Kenzie Baldwin 1 assist, 19 digs
- Evie Robbins 10 digs
- Cam Norris 21 assists, 2 service aces, 5 digs
- Faith Watson 2 kills, 2 stuff blocks, 5 digs
- Brooke Scheffler 12 kills, 16 assists, 10 digs
- Caroline Farthing 26 kills, 4 service aces, 19 digs
- Kate McCullough 2 stuff blocks
- Sara Marlowe 1 kill, 3 stuff blocks
- Emma Pastusic 2 kills, 1 assists, 3 stuff blocks, 1 dig
