Playing “together,” Watauga Volleyball sweeps West Wilkes, 3-0

August 12, 2025

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Watauga Volleyball during a timeout vs. West Wilkes on Aug. 12. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With a promising display of roster depth, Watauga High School’s volleyball team swept visiting West Wilkes, 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-16), on Aug. 12 at Lentz Eggers Gym.

After the match, Pioneer head coach was all smiles, especially in having seen a consistent level of play throughout, regardless of which student-athletes were on the floor, representing Watauga.

Ava Zaragoza puts up a set for a Watauga attack on Aug. 12 vs. West Wilkes. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“This was an opportunity to try a lot of things. The strength of the opponent we saw yesterday vs. Hickory doesn’t allow you to make some of the (early season) changes you really want to make, so seeing the consistent level of play and, in some cases, a rising level of play from the players coming in, was really good to see. I was able to make subs and we were able to continue the game plan. There was no drop in the level of play. We have a strong team, all the way through.”

Leading 2-0, Pryor substituted freely early in the third set and there was an opening period of concern when West Wilkes jumped out to a 6-0 lead. That advantage didn’t last long as the new group of Pioneers found their footing and sparked a rally. Pryor said she was confident that her group could play through and overcome the deficit.

Sophomore outside hitter Gracyn Phelps plays the ball on Aug. 12 vs. West Wilkes, with Lainey Gragg (12) and Rae Coffey (15) looking on. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“I was pretty confident they could pull it together. We were losing focus a little bit, being the first game (of the year for several of the players). And they did. They brought the focus back in and dominated,” said Pryor. “Overall tonight, we were able to execute things according to the game plan, both on offense and defense.”

We were playing together and we were winning.

It was another match where hard-hitting senior outside hitter, Emma Pastusic, was again featured in both the front row as well as at the service line. The 2-sport athlete has developed significant arm and upper body strength while training for volleyball as well as for discus and shot put in track and field. And yet, her explosiveness — elevation off the floor — may be one of the defining skillsets to mark the Watauga season. Her strong connection with setter Lainey Gragg was obvious, with Gragg racking up 35 assists, about half leading to one of Pastusic’s 17 kills.

Emma Pastusic (18) finishes off a kill shot vs. West Wilkes on Aug. 12 in Lentz Eggers Gym. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“My serving was a little off last night (vs. Hickory), but I worked on it in practice today,” said Pastusic. “(On the throws up) I was able to get the ball a little more in front of me, so I was able to direct the ball a little better. I obviously have my top-spin serve, which is the most aggressive, but it also remains a high risk serve so there may be more misses. If I need something more reliable, I go to a float serve or standing serve. With a top-spin serve, you are throwing the ball higher so you are able to get the top spin on it. It is designed to go over the net and drop really fast. With the float, it is more of a flat serve that runs off of people’s platforms.”

On her explosiveness off the floor, especially in kill shot opportunities, Pastusic is reaping the rewards of plain, hard work in preparation for the season.

Watauga’s Ashlyn Smith receives a West Wilkes serve and passes to setter Lainey Gragg on Aug. 12 in Lentz Eggers Gym. Rae Coffey (15) and Caroline Childers (23, background) are at the ready for backup, if needed. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports

“I have definitely been working on my vertical this summer,” said Pastusic. “I reached 10 feet during the summer and 10-feet, two inches in a game. It’s starting to ramp up and my work is starting to pay off.”

Almost all, if not all, of the Watauga players compete with travel teams in the summer, most with Appalachian Volleyball Club but some off the mountain as well. As much as they enjoy those opportunities to compete and hone their skills, they are universal in wanting to play for and represent Watauga High School.

“It is just amazing. We all play ball in the summer, but with these girls as teammates, on this court and with all of these fans, it is a different kind of feeling,” said junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith. “With the loss last night, we had (extra motivation) to do better. We were playing together. We were playing united and that showed up on the court. We were playing together and we were winning.”

Team Statistical Leaders

Kills – Emma Pastusic (17)
Assists – Lainey Gragg (35)
Receptions – Ashlyn Smith (30)
Blocks – Kora Knight (3)
Digs – Caroline Childers (26)
Serving Aces – Lainey Gragg (3)

Now 1-1 in the young season, Watauga has a rematch with Hickory on the road, Aug. 18, with first serve slated for 5:30 p.m. in the Red Tornadoes’ gymnasium.