By David Rogers. LENOIR, N.C. — To say that good defense led to outstanding offense is an understatement for anyone watching Watauga Volleyball’s visit to the Hibriten gymnasium on Sept. 20. The Pioneers swept past a much improved Hibriten squad, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-16).
Acknowledging the emerging strength and competitive balance of Northwestern Conference opponents, Watauga head coach Kim Pryor intentionally loaded the 2023 early season, non-conference schedule with historically state playoffs-caliber opponents, like Cox Mill, Cuthbertson, Foard, Hickory and Southwestern Randolph, all contenders at their respective 1A, 2A, 3A, or 4A levels. Not only did the Pioneers emerge with a gaudy 8-1 record after running through that gauntlet (the only loss a tense, 3-0 sweep by the Cox Mill Chargers at home), but it allowed them to hone their defensive skills up and down the Pioneer roster.
Against Hibriten’s strong hitters, libero Evie Robbins recorded 22 digs to lead the defensive effort, but nine other Pioneers also helped keep the ball in play with digs, including another player, Madi Combs, also in double figures with 11 digs.
Keeping the ball in play and putting it in a position to be set for offensive purposes is a precious volleyball skill. Robbins and Combs led the way in not only manufacturing improbable defensive digs, but getting the ball up to where the Pioneer setters could deftly create usable opportunities for the “kill” specialists, Brooklyn Stanbery and Emma Pastusic, in particular.
With 17 assists, Combs was often on the receiving end of Robbins’ digs. With 13 assists, Lainey Gragg picked up the slack in setting up the team’s offensive opportunities.
Six Pioneers recorded kills on the night but it was Stanbery’s 18 kills and Pastusic’s 14 kills that dominated the action at the net.
But offensive kill shots are not the only “action” at the net. We would be remiss not to highlight the eight stuff blocks spread across five Watauga players, including two each by senior middle hitters Sara Marlowe and Kate McCullough, along with sophomore middle hitter Kora Knight.
Now 10-1 on the season overall, 3-0 in Northwestern Conference, the Pioneers will mix in two more strong non-conference opponents before resuming conference play on the road at Freedom on Sept. 25. They will get up early on Saturday, Sept. 23 for a 10 am. non-conference tilt at home against North Iredell (12-1), then face 11-8 North Henderson at 1 p.m. in Lentz Eggers Gym.
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL WATAUGA STATS VS. HIBRITEN
- Evie Robbins 22 digs, 3 assists
- Madi Combs 11 digs, 17 assists
- Lainey Gragg 18 assists, 1 service ace, 5 digs
- Brooklyn Stanbery 18 kills, 7 digs
- Emma Pastusic 14 kills, 1 stuff block, 6 digs
- Kaitlyn Darner 5 digs
- Kasey Gragg 3 kills, 1 stuff block, 1 service ace, 3 digs
- Kate McCullough 2 kills, 2 stuff blocks, 2 digs
- Sara Marlowe 2 kills, 2 stuff blocks, 2 digs
- Kora Knight 3 kills, 2 stuff blocks, 1 dig
