By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — After dropping the first set to Watauga volleyball, 25-12, a resilient Alexander Central team got their act together for a more respectable outcome in the second set, 25-21. The Pioneers nonetheless responded with even more firepower in the third set, completing the 3-0 sweep with a convincing 25-11 third set win.
“They picked up a lot in the second set,” said Watauga senior setter Camryn Norris after the match. “We usually can get down on teams but their resilience kind of messed with us at first. Then we started finding holes and were scrappy right back, so that helped us compete with them.”
Pioneer senior Faith Watson pointed out, “They picked up on their service feed a lot and went on some longer serving runs. And, honestly, they just had some good hustle plays. This is the second time we have played them this year. We had a bit of a home court advantage, but we know them as a team that will play up to our energy level. If you give them some motivation, they will definitely play and get scrappy with it, and score some points.”
Head coach Kim Pryor was quick to compliment the visiting Cougars.
“When we played at their place earlier, they scored in the 20s, so we knew them to be scrappy. They have some good hitters. If we are not on top of our game and kind of relaxed, they will take advantage,” said Pryor. “We started well, but kind of rolled over in the middle, then came back at the end.”
Pryor was again able to get plenty of floor time for her reserves, emptying her deep bench as the Pioneers prepare for the state playoffs. That fine-tuning will be tested on Oct. 8 when Watauga hosts regional volleyball powers Fred T. Foard (Newton, N.C.) and T.C. Roberson (Asheville), before closing out the regular season with two road matches against Hibriten (Oct. 10) and Freedom (Oct. 12), then returning for a final regular season home encounter vs. Ashe County (Oct. 17).
SELECTED WATAUGA INDIVIDUAL STATS
- Camryn Norris 21 assists
- Faith Watson 6 kills, 3 digs
- Brooke Scheffler 15 kills, 14 assists, 2 stuff blocks, 2 service aces, 12 digs
- Caroline Farthing 17 kills, 3 service aces, 12 digs
- Kate McCullough 4 stuff blocks
- Madi Combs 5 service aces
- Kenzie Baldwin 4 assists, 1 service ace, 11 digs
