By David Rogers. RALEIGH, N.C. — As the No. 1 seed in the 6A West, Watauga High School’s varsity volleyball team earned a bye in the first round of the NCHSAA Volleyball Championships, the state playoffs tournament that begins on Oct. 18.
Instead, with a pass through to the second round, the 23-1 Pioneers will face the winner of No. 16 Mount Tabor and No. 17 A.C. Reynolds.
With the reclassification of all North Carolina schools into eight classifications, there are more opportunities for teams to advance to the state playoffs this year. Watauga finished the regular season slate of Northwestern Conference matches undefeated, all sweeps, but some of their opponents also earned state tournament opportunities.
As the No. 5 seed in the 6A West, Alexander Central will also have a bye into the second round. No. 12 St. Stephens will host No. 21 Charlotte Catholic on Oct. 18, and No. 11 South Caldwell will host No. 22 Eastern Guilford the same day.
The second round is scheduled for Oct. 21, the third round for Oct. 23, the fourth round for Oct. 25, with the regionals on Oct. 28 and the state finals on either Oct. 31 or Nov. 1.
ALL 6A West 1st Round Pairings
- No. 1 Watauga – BYE
- No. 16 Mount Tabor vs. No. 17 A C Reynolds
- No. 8 Sun Valley – BYE
- No. 9 Asheboro vs. No. 24 Ashbrook
- No. 5 Alexander Central – BYE
- No. 12 St. Stephens vs. No. 21 Charlotte Catholic
- No. 4 North Iredell – BYE
- No. 13 T.C. Roberson vs. No. 20 Central Cabarrus
- No. 3 Northern Guilford – BYE
- No. 14 Piedmont vs. No. 19 Williams
- No. 6 Southeast Guilford – BYE
- No. 11 South Caldwell vs. No. 22 Eastern Guilford
- No. 7 Asheville – BYE
- No. 10 Scotland vs. No. 23 Olympic
- No. 15 Ragsdale vs. No. 18 Western Guilford
- No. 2 Kings Mountain – BYE
