By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — If Jackson Pryor ever decides to give up football — he is committed to Furman University at the next level already — he might consider joining a men’s volleyball fraternity: Phi Slamma Jamma.
After leading his Watauga team to a 3-set sweep of High Country rival Ashe County on March 28, with 22 kills and four service aces, Pryor would be a shoo-in for a slammin’ and jammin’ Greek life. Watauga prevailed on the night, winning the three sets 25-22, 25-17, and 25-23.
Other statistical leaders including libero Bennett Lappin with 12 digs and six service aces, along with setter Kai Church in the middle of things with 35 assists and seven digs.
“It was a great team win tonight,” said the Pioneers’ head coach Kim Pryor. “The growth of our team in just a short amount of time has been fun to watch. Our guys learn and respond so quickly and make strides every time they step on the court. We have 40 players in our program with several involved in other spring sports and activities including baseball, track, lacrosse, golf, tennis, and the school play. We may have a different mix of players each night, but they have stepped up.”
Given that high school men’s volleyball in North Carolina is still in its developmental stages, there are not a lot of high school teams in the region. So Ashe County and Watauga are their own league, with no other teams formed among other Northwestern Conference schools. Both coaches have tried, unsuccessfully, to schedule teams from outside the area, but couldn’t match up with open dates. The next match between Watauga and Ashe County will be April 10, at Watauga’s Lentz Eggers Gym, 6 p.m, the third of 10 total matches between the two schools. At least one of the teams will advance to the state playoffs, with Round 1 slated for May 2.
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