By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a night of celebrations, including a birthday (senior Emma Pastusic) and 1,000 career assists (junior Lainey Gragg) — and when the last point had been scored vs. NCHSAA 2A power Southwestern Randolph, Watauga Volleyball had even more to celebrate: a three-set sweep, 25-4, 25-20, 25-22.
Warming up, Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team looked the part of their pedigree. According to MaxPreps, the Cougars finished No. 9 in the state 2A rankings in 2024-25, No. 3 in 2023-24, No. 4 in 2022-23, and state champions in 2021-22.
All that “look” fell by the wayside in facing host Watauga on Aug. 20 in Lentz Eggers Gym. The Pioneers were “firing on all cylinders,” as head coach Kim Pryor put it afterwards, running the score up to 12-0 before Southwestern Randolph smelled the scoreboard. At 19-2, the rout was on and it hardly got any better for the visitors by the end, losing 25-4.
But the first set prelude was hardly a harbinger of things to come. The Cougars gathered themselves and made the second and third sets more in keeping with what the crowded onlookers might have expected.
In set two, Southwestern Randolph jumped out to an early lead against a lineup that included almost all of the Pioneer starters as Pryor looked to increase court time for a sprinkling of reserves. But Watauga got back in synch and rallied back to tie the score at 8-8, beginning a competitive, see-saw battle the Pioneers eventually won, 25-20.
Set 3 was more of the same, with even more of the Pioneers seeing some of the non-conference action. The early season, after all, is the time when teamwork is emphasized by Pryor and her coaching staff, regardless of who is on the court representing the Pioneers.
“Southwestern Randolph is an amazing team,” said Watauga head coach Kim Pryor afterwards. “They’ve won a state championship within the last five years. They are well coached and a gritty team. We came out firing on all cylinders. It was the best we have been in synch all year. What we were doing was clicking. We have been working on our setter-hitter connection and the girls’ serving tonight was (really good). It was such a complete team (win). The girls brought both sides of the ball together tonight.
Watauga’s senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic knew to expect a battle from Southwestern Randolph, in spite of the Pioneers’ first set dominance.
“We went five sets with them last year,” said the senior power hitter, “so we knew they are a good team. Their defense was a little iffy (tonight) but their middle blockers are really good.”
“I thought we played really well, especially in the first set,” said Pioneer sophomore libero Caroline Childers after the match. “We were functioning really well as a team. One of the areas we were focused on tonight was the setter to hitter connection. Personally, I worked on serve receive and defense, as well as those critical passes to the setter.
“Covering the areas behind the players up front, blocking, was also a focus for me tonight. Look at it like having their backs,” Childers said, with a smile.
A highlight of the evening was when there was a brief stoppage in play to recognize junior setter Lainey Gragg’s 1,000th career assist.
Statistical leaders for the Pioneer varsity included:
- Kills: Emma Pastusic (19), Ashlyn Smith (9), Julia Rowan (8)
- Assists: Lainey Gragg (43)
- Digs: Caroline Childers (22), Lilli Combs (12), Graycie Phelps (8)
- Blocks: Julia Rowan (2)
- Service Aces: Ashlyn Smith (3), Emma Pastusic (1), Lilli Combs (1), Caroline Childers (1)
Pioneer JVs sweep, too
In the junior varsity curtain raiser for the varsity action, Watauga JV also swept in two sets, 25-22, 25-15. Standouts included setter Mia Mitchell (23 assists), outside hitters Kira Beasley (7 kills) and Adeline Tate (10 kills), and libero Ember Honeycutt (29 digs). Mitchell also added two service aces and six digs.
Up Next
On Saturday, Aug. 23, Watauga hosts North Iredell (Olin, N.C.) and Providence (Charlotte, N.C.) in a Tri-Meet. First match is 10 a.m. in Lentz Eggers Gym.
