Watauga VB claims season hat trick in 3-0 sweep over Alexander Central

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Foregone conclusions are not permitted in athletic competition. That’s why they play the games. And yet, after twice sweeping Alexander Central in the regular season, Watauga’s 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-14, 25-20) of the Cougars in the first round of the NCHSAA 4A state volleyball tournament may have been expected by the many Pioneer fans in Lentz Eggers Gym.

An interesting tidbit in this matchup was that Alexander Central drew the proverbial first blood (first point) in each of the three sets. Especially in the first two sets, the Cougars battled evenly with the Pioneers in the early going, even securing a 9-9 tie in the second frame. But each time Watauga would pull away behind some combination of good service runs, effective setting, forceful kill shots and good ball placement.

“It is always hard to beat a good team three times in any given season,” said Watauga head coach Kim Pryor after the match. “Teams grow and develop as a season progresses. We never come into a match expecting to win because we have to have our focus and be prepared. Alexander Central is a great ball control team, so being on top of our game was vitally important.”

Although Watauga has been without a couple of team members because of illness, the depth of the Pioneer roster was clearly evident against the Cougars. Pryor employed several player combinations throughout the match and both the individual and team performances rarely slipped.

“We do have a lot of depth,” said Pryor. “We have a lot of girls who can step in at any time.”

One of the more impressive performances among the individual Pioneers against Alexander Central was by libero Kenzie Baldwin, who recorded 25 digs in the three sets.

“I feel like at times there are balls I can’t get to, but today I gave it my all to get to those balls hit in my general direction,” said Baldwin, afterwards. “At this point in the season, in the playoffs, that’s what we need to be doing, giving our all no matter what game it is and what role we are playing. I like it when balls get hit to me. ”

Brooke Scheffler’s performance included a “triple-double” with 18 kills, 15 assists and 15 digs, reflecting her remarkable versatility.

“I am not like Kenzie in that not all balls are hit to me, but I do get the touches because of being a setter. Being able to get those reps in at setter, because I had never been in that role before this year, has really helped me grow throughout the season. I continue to focus on getting better at the position,” said Scheffler. “I want to put up a good ball.”

Scheffler offered kudos for Alexander Central, saying, “They have some really good, all-around versatile players. I don’t remember every time we played them this year, but they definitely came up today and were firing away. They want to win, too, and we have a target on our backs.”

Watauga was awarded the No. 2 seed in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 4A West bracket, behind No. 1 seed Reagan High School, of Pfafftown. By advancing into the second round, the Pioneers will host No. 18-seeded Mallard Creek on Oct. 25. The Mavericks upset No. 15 Charlotte Catholic, 3-2, in a first round match in Charlotte on Saturday.

SELECTED WATAUGA INDIVIDUAL STATS

• • Kenzie Baldwin 25 digs, 3 assists, 1 service ace
  • Camryn Norris 22 assists, 3 service aces, 5 digs
  • Faith Watson 5 kills, 1 stuff block, 2 digs
  • Brooke Scheffler 18 kills, 15 assists, 15 digs
  • Caroline Farthing 13 kills, 1 assist, 1 service ace, 8 digs
  • Brooklyn Stanbery 3 kills
  • Kate McCullough 2 kills, 1 assist, 1 stuff block
  • Madi Combs 3 service aces
  • Emma Pastusic 3 kills, 1 service ace

Other first round 4A results:

West Bracket, Upper Half

• • No. 1 Reagan 3, No. 32 South Mecklenburg 0
  • No. 16 Northwest Guilford 3, No. 17 Asheville 1
  • No. 8 South Iredell 3, No. 25 Myers Park 0
  • No. 9 Providence 3, No. 24 Weddington 2
  • No. 5 T C Roberson 3, No. 28 SW Guilford 0
  • No. 12 E. Forsyth 3, No. 21 A C Reynolds 0
  • No. 13 Lake Norman vs. No. 20 Palisades (score unavailable)
  • No. 4 Hough 3, No. 29 Cuthbertson 0

West Bracket, Lower Half

• • No. 3 Sun Valley, No. 30 Hickory Ridge 0
  • No. 14 Cox Mill vs. No. 19 W. Forsyth (score unavailable)
  • No. 6 Ardrey Kell 3, No. 27 E. Mecklenburg 0
  • No. 11 Western Guilford 3, No. 23 Northern Guilford 0
  • No. 7 Grimsley 3, Butler 0
  • No. 10 Marvin Ridge 3, No. 23 Davie 0
  • No. 18 Mallard Creek 3, No. 15 Charlotte Catholic 2
  • No. 2 Watauga 3, No. 31 Alexander Central 0

East Bracket, Upper Half

• • No. 1 Chapel Hill 3, No. 32 Fuquay-Varina 0
  • No. 16 Laney 3, No. 17 Corinth Holders 1
  • No. 8 Cardinal Gibbons 3, No. 25 Topsail 0
  • No. 9 Gray’s Creek 3, No. 24 Wakefield 1
  • No. 5 Cleveland vs. No. 28 New Bern (score unavailable)
  • No. 12 Hoggard 3, No. 21 Clayton 0
  • No. 13 Green Hope 3, No. 20 Leesville Road 0
  • No. 4 Middle Creek 3, No. 29 Richmond 0

East Bracket, Lower Half

• • No. 3 Pinecrest 3, No. 30 Panther Creek 2
  • No. 19 New Hanover 3, No. 14 Southern Alamance 2
  • No. 6 D.H. Conley 3, No. 27 Northern Durham 0
  • No. 11 Green Level 3, No. 22 East Chapel Hill 0
  • No. 7 Ashley 3, No. 26 Apex 1
  • No. 10 Pine Forest 3, No. 23 Garner 2
  • No. 18. Apex Friendship 3, No. 15 Heritage 0
  • No. 2 Millbrook 3, No. 31 Jordan 0