By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Not one. Not two. But THREE High Country volleyball players were named to a prominent “All State” team this week, including Watauga seniors Caroline Farthing and Brooke Scheffler, as well as Ashe County junior Paige Overcash. Even more noteworthy for this region? All three earned HighSchoolOT.com “First Team” all-state designations.
HighSchoolOT.com is an operating unit of WRAL, an NBC News television affiliate, based in Raleigh. HighSchoolOT focuses on high school athletics throughout the state, reporting not just scores and standings but also compiles statistical data and develops “all state” teams annually in football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and other high school sports. This is the third year HSOT has published a high school volleyball poll, consisting of a First Team, Second Team, Third Team, and Honorable Mention lists.
With 559 kills, 49 service aces, 27 blocked shots and 343 digs, Watauga’s Farthing certainly demonstrated her versatility as both an outside hitter and strong defensive player during the 2022 season. In 2023, she remains close to home as an Appalachian State volleyball recruit.
Scheffler gained acclaim in her freshman, sophomore and junior years as an outside hitter and middle blocker, but proved a dynamic lynchpin to Watauga’s 2022 season success as a setter, as well as an outside hitter when the situation called for it. Her senior year, she racked up 418 kills, 21 service aces, 56 blocked shots, and 493 assists in her different Pioneer roles. She has committed to play for Furman University in college.
High Country high school volleyball enthusiasts get to enjoy Overcash’s athletic performances for another year because even though she earned First Team All-State recognition and appears headed for Liberty University to play after graduation, she is still only a junior. In 2022, she racked up 408 kills, 40 service aces, 23 blocked shots, and 173 digs as primarily an outside hitter for Ashe County.
North Carolina high school athletics is currently divided into six classifications, including small school 1A and 2A, 3A, and large school 4A comprised primarily of public high schools. Private, independent school classifications include NCISAA 3A and NCISAA 4A classes.
HighSchoolOT statewide rankings for the 2022 season have Watauga at No. 14 after going 23-3 on the season and well into the playoffs. HSOT also ranks teams within specific area codes and in “828”, Watauga is ranked No. 2 behind Asheville Christian. In “336,” Ashe County is ranked No. 6.
