By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It might have been stormy outside of Lentz Eggers Gym on Sept. 25, but it was business as usual for the Watauga varsity volleyball team. The Pioneers had little trouble in sweeping visiting Freedom in a Northwestern Conference matchup, 3-0 (25-4, 25-12, 25-16).
Starting the second half of conference play, Watauga all but duplicated its dominating performance at Freedom’s home court on Sept. 9, when they defeated the Patriots 25-9, 25-10, 25-9.
The Pioneers dominated in every phase, but nowhere was it more telling that this contest was a mismatch than in serving, in which Watauga, as a team, recorded an astonishing 19 service aces in the three sets, led by sophomore libero Caroline Childers (7 aces), senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic (6), and junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith (4).
To their credit, the Patriots appeared to make some adjustments and got better against the Pioneers’ prolific offensive attack as the match wore on, but the visitors from Morganton were largely kept off balance by whichever combination of Watauga players was on the floor.
Now 16-1 overall, 6-0 in Northwestern Conference play, the Pioneers will look to maintain momentum as the season winds down toward the state playoffs, for which Watauga is almost certain to secure a high seed. Next games include a final non-conference tilt on Monday, Sept. 29 vs. High Country rival Ashe County, followed by a road trip to South Caldwell (Sept 30), a home match vs. arguably the toughest conference opponent, Alexander Central (Oct. 2). The Pioneers close out the regular season with a trip to Marion to face McDowell (Oct. 7) before returning home to host St. Stephens (Oct. 9).
We look for the state playoffs’ brackets to be announced Oct. 11.
WATAUGA’S INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS vs. FREEDOM
Kills: Emma Pastusic (18), Kora Knight (8), Gracyn Phelps (3), Addie Stough (3), Rae Coffey (3), Ashlyn Smith (2), Hannah Adams (1), Julia Rowan (1)
Service Aces: Caroline Childers (7), Emma Pastusic (6), Ashlyn Smith (4), Lainey Gragg (1), Lilli Combs (1)
Blocks: Lainey Gragg (4), Kora Knight (2), Athena Elliott (2), Rae Coffey (2), Addie Stough (1), Hannah Adams (1)
Digs: Caroline Childers (15), Lilli Combs (8), Lainey Gragg (7), Emma Pastusic (4), Ava Zaragoza (3), Ashlyn Smith (3), Athena Elliott (1), Gracyn Phelps (1), Kora Knight (1)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (27), Caroline Childers (5), Ava Zaragoza (2), Ashlyn Smith (1), Lilli Combs (1)
Serve Receive: Caroline Childers (10), Ashlyn Smith (8), Emma Pastusic (8), Graycie Collins (1), Lilli Combs (1)
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger version and Slide Show mode)
