By David Rogers. ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Five non-conference football games, five running clocks and five wins — an undefeated non-conference slate for Watauga High School’s football team in 2025.
After a poignant ceremony remembering the lives lost and widespread damage of Hurricane Helene just a year ago and recognizing the many who aided the victims and the regional recovery, Watauga wasted little time in dispatching a young Cougars team, 49-7.
UPDATE TO FOLLOW
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger version and Slide Show mode)
All photographic images by Jared Everett, processed by David Rogers for High Country Sports
By Katherine Jamtgaard. BOONE, N.C. — The App State volleyball team (10-2, 1-0 SBC) opened Sun Belt play on Friday with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23) victory over James Madison (7-6, 0-1 SBC). Friday’s victory marked the program’s third consecutive win over JMU.
App State 3, James Madison 1
Senior Keionna Mackey led the Mountaineers with 15 kills, followed by fellow senior Maya Winterhoff, who tallied 14. Mackey and Winterhoff were also responsible for the Mountaineers’ two solo blocks. Sophomore Bella Hutchens also played a key role in Friday’s match, slamming down 10 kills. Redshirt senior Addison Heidemann made 43 of App State’s 48 assists, while sophomore MeMe Davis led the team with 11 digs. App State served up nine aces compared to JMU’s two.
James Madison commanded the first set after jumping ahead 6-0 early. The Mountaineers narrowed the deficit to 17-13 with a 5-0 run. With blocks from the duos of Mackey and sophomore Lou Johnson, and Hutchens and Johnson, as well as a Mackey kill, App Stat cut the deficit to three (21-18). Winterhoff managed to hold JMU at set point, but it wasn’t enough as the Dukes took the first set, 25-21.
Johnson was quick to open the second set with a kill for the Mountaineers. Throughout the set, App State and James Madison knotted the score on 13 occasions, but only traded the lead four times. The Mountaineers broke a 16-all tie with a run that included a Mackey ace and kills from Hutchens and senior Ali Morris. JMU answered with a 5-0 to take a 21-20 edge, but the Mountaineers regained the lead with a JMU error and back-to-back kills from Morris. Heidemann set Winterhoff up for a kill to cap the set, 25-23, for the Mountaineers.
Early in the third set, App State and JMU fought through several ties. With a 4-0 run that included a pair of Mackey kills, the Mountaineers took an 11-8 lead. The Black and Gold leapt ahead, 16-10, with a 5-0 run as Mackey, Morris, and Hutchens made kills, Heidemann served up an ace, and the duo of Johnson and Hutchens went up for a block. Kills from Hutchens, Winterhoff, and Morris kept App State ahead, 21-14. JMU found momentum with a 4-0 run to narrow the deficit to 21-18. The Mountaineers secured the second set, 25-19, with a Winterhoff kill, JMU error, and Winterhoff ace. Over the course of the third set, App State held JMU to a hitting percentage of .075 while maintaining a hitting percentage of .226.
The Mountaineers’ momentum carried into the fourth set as Mackey went to work slamming down a kill and serving up an ace. Davis made one of her two kills to help App State to an early 3-0 lead. In the final set, App State and JMU tied on six occasions, but only swapped the lead twice. With a 5-0 run that featured kills from Morris and Winterhoff, as well as Mackey’s solo block, the Mountaineers established a 10-6 lead. The Dukes managed to meet the Mountaineers at 19-all, but a JMU error and consecutive aces from Winterhoff pushed App State ahead, 22-19. JMU managed to knot the score once more at 22-all before App State reached match point with back-to-back kills from Mackey and Hutchens. Davis made the Mountaineers’ final kill as App State took the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-1.
Looking Ahead
The Mountaineers and Dukes return to the court at 2 p.m. on Saturday for Youth Day. All kids aged 12 and under will receive free admission.
By Layne McNary. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The App State field hockey team took down the Bellarmine Knights 2-0 on Friday in the second shutout of the season.
The Mountaineers (7-1, 2-0 MAC) held a majority of ball possession in the game, finding the back of the cage in the second half of the contest. App State did not allow a single shot in the game, with the Mountaineers outshooting the Knights (0-8, 0-2 MAC) 16-0.
Sophia Baxter and Lise Boekaar both scored against Bellarmine, keeping the Mountaineers undefeated in conference play.
How it Happened
1st Quarter: It was scoreless in the first period, with the Mountaineers dominating much of the ball. Although generating two corners and getting four shots up, the Mountaineers failed to convert to begin the game.
2nd Quarter: It was more of the same for the Mountaineers, dominating the ball with five shots on goal and two corners. Despite multiple times in front of the cage, the Mountaineers remained scoreless heading into the break.
3rd Quarter: The Mountaineers ended the scoreless draw, with Boekaar scoring her ninth goal of the season off a penalty corner. The Mountaineers also tallied two shots on goal and two corners.
4th Quarter: To close out the game, Baxter found the back of the cage for her seventh goal of the season, doubling the Mountaineer lead to two. The Mountaineers closed out the game earning two more corners in the 2-0 win over Bellarmine.
By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — Strong defense and a penalty kick score from graduate forward Izzi Wood helped lead App State Soccer to a 1-0 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars at The Valley on Friday. It was the Mountaineers’ (5-5-1, 1-2-0 SBC) first clean sheet on defense since posting back-to-back shutouts against Davidson and Miami in August.
Wood’s game-winning goal was the 29th of her career, placing her one goal back of the program record of 30 set by Casey Cleary.
Anna Claire Jacobi was lights out between the posts on Friday, saving five shots and posting a clean sheet. South Alabama (7-3-0, 2-1-0 SBC) came into the game having outscored its opponents 11-1 in Sun Belt play and 24-8 overall this season. App State’s shutout marked just the second time this season that South Alabama didn’t record a goal, with the last instance occurring in its season opener at LSU.
The Jaguars generated the first chances in the game, seeing Aliya Gomez attempt two shots in the 12th and 20th minutes. Both were saved by Jacobi, with the second one being a kick save on a breakaway chance.
Shortly after Jacobi’s save, Wood sent one on goal that threatened the net, but her shot was saved by the Jaguars. The Mountaineers took two shots in the first half as Kyli Switalski took the game’s first shot in the 11th minute.
As the contest went into halftime scoreless, App State saw its offense spark to begin the final frame. In the 54th minute, Wood tallied back-to-back shots, one of which hit the right post off a rebound chance, but South Alabama was able to clear it, and play moved on.
Another chance generated by the Mountaineers’ strong second-half push led to a shot by Hayden Petrick that went high. Six minutes later, Wood found herself with the ball deep in South Alabama territory and turned to make a shot, but was fouled before she could take it. Attempting App State’s fourth penalty kick of the year, Wood shot toward the left post, and the keeper dove right, leading to a score. The Mountaineers are now 4-4 on penalty kicks this season.
The Mountaineer defense continued its stellar showing, forcing another tough South Alabama shot that led to Jacobi’s fifth save of the game in the 89th minute. Wood’s penalty kick score turned into the decider as the Mountaineers claimed a huge win, their first over South Alabama since 2016 and second all-time.
App State will next take the field in Conway, S.C., for a Thursday night tilt with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Hardin Park’s middle school volleyball team made short work of Bethel, 2-0 (25-11, 25-10) on Sept. 25, then repeated their league leading performance against Valle Crucis, 2-0 925-7, 25-7).
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It might have been stormy outside of Lentz Eggers Gym on Sept. 25, but it was business as usual for the Watauga varsity volleyball team. The Pioneers had little trouble in sweeping visiting Freedom in a Northwestern Conference matchup, 3-0 (25-4, 25-12, 25-16).
Starting the second half of conference play, Watauga all but duplicated its dominating performance at Freedom’s home court on Sept. 9, when they defeated the Patriots 25-9, 25-10, 25-9.
The Watauga Pioneers recorded 19 service aces on Sept. 25 vs. Freedom, including four by junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
The Pioneers dominated in every phase, but nowhere was it more telling that this contest was a mismatch than in serving, in which Watauga, as a team, recorded an astonishing 19 service aces in the three sets, led by sophomore libero Caroline Childers (7 aces), senior outside hitter Emma Pastusic (6), and junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith (4).
To their credit, the Patriots appeared to make some adjustments and got better against the Pioneers’ prolific offensive attack as the match wore on, but the visitors from Morganton were largely kept off balance by whichever combination of Watauga players was on the floor.
Now 16-1 overall, 6-0 in Northwestern Conference play, the Pioneers will look to maintain momentum as the season winds down toward the state playoffs, for which Watauga is almost certain to secure a high seed. Next games include a final non-conference tilt on Monday, Sept. 29 vs. High Country rival Ashe County, followed by a road trip to South Caldwell (Sept 30), a home match vs. arguably the toughest conference opponent, Alexander Central (Oct. 2). The Pioneers close out the regular season with a trip to Marion to face McDowell (Oct. 7) before returning home to host St. Stephens (Oct. 9).
We look for the state playoffs’ brackets to be announced Oct. 11.
WATAUGA’S INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS vs. FREEDOM
Kills: Emma Pastusic (18), Kora Knight (8), Gracyn Phelps (3), Addie Stough (3), Rae Coffey (3), Ashlyn Smith (2), Hannah Adams (1), Julia Rowan (1)
Service Aces: Caroline Childers (7), Emma Pastusic (6), Ashlyn Smith (4), Lainey Gragg (1), Lilli Combs (1)
Blocks: Lainey Gragg (4), Kora Knight (2), Athena Elliott (2), Rae Coffey (2), Addie Stough (1), Hannah Adams (1)
Digs: Caroline Childers (15), Lilli Combs (8), Lainey Gragg (7), Emma Pastusic (4), Ava Zaragoza (3), Ashlyn Smith (3), Athena Elliott (1), Gracyn Phelps (1), Kora Knight (1)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (27), Caroline Childers (5), Ava Zaragoza (2), Ashlyn Smith (1), Lilli Combs (1)
Serve Receive: Caroline Childers (10), Ashlyn Smith (8), Emma Pastusic (8), Graycie Collins (1), Lilli Combs (1)
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger version and Slide Show mode)
By David Rogers. HICKORY, N.C. — Balanced offensive and defensive performances by the Watauga High School varsity volleyball team proved too much for host St. Stephens on Sept, 23. The Pioneers recorded their twelfth sweep of the still young 2025 season, expanding their overall record to 15-1, 5-0 in Northwestern Conference.
Watauga corralled the Indians, 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-19).
Watauga’s Gracyn Collins serves at St. Stephens on Sept. 23, 2025. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Testament to Watauga’s roster strength was clearly evident. A total of nine different Pioneers recorded kills in attacking the Indians’ side of the net. Defensively, there was a similar statistical result: nine different Watauga players tallied digs on the night.
“We came into the game knowing that St. Stephens is a little bit unpredictable after watching some film on them for a couple of recent games,” said junior outside hitter Ashlyn Smith. “So we expected their very best. We came out tonight playing our very best. That showed in our consistency, our communication and our execution. We were just having fun out there today. You can really see that when we play together, we win.”
Watauga head coach Kim Pryor described a similar scouting report on St. Stephens as they previously saw in McDowell.
“They have a very athletic middle and libero. Their defense is scrappy. So we knew we had to be on top of our game. We played well and we had fun. That’s one of the common characteristics of this team, having fun. Across the board, up and down the roster, there is unity. They love each other,” said Pryor.
One of the interesting observations on this night was the elevated, more visible (and audible) leadership of Smith, barking out pre-serve observations about the adversary’s front row as well as back row alignments. Asked about her communications after the match, Smith acknowledged her role and purpose.
Watauga outside hitter Ashlyn Smith barks out alignment observations at St. Stephens, Sept. 23, 2025. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
“I am a really big believer in (creating) high energy in a team. That can’t happen without communication, including what you see on the other side of the net as well as on our side of the net. Our communication during a match can be intimidating for the other team. When I am calling out the numbers of players on the other side of the net, they are looking at me. I am calling out where the setter is on the other side, back row or front row and I am calling out the hitters, so we know who is on the front row,” said Smith.
Smith admitted that she was not instructed to be so vocal.
“This is an element that I am bringing to the team, I think. This level of communication has two purposes, intimidating the other team as well as getting our team in a groove,” Smith added.
Pryor confirmed Smith’s growing role.
“That level of communication is important,” said Pryor. “It is a role that Ashlyn has taken on herself. As a leader, that isn’t (surprising).”
Emma Pastusic (18) powers a kill shot past a would-be blocker on Sept. 23, 2025, at St. Stephens in Northwestern Conference play. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Watauga is now ranked No. 2 in MaxPreps’ North Carolina 6A classification rankings, behind Greenville, N.C.’s J.H. Rose High School. The Pioneers are ranked No. 12 in the state across all classifications. The higher rankings bring prestige, of course, but also puts a target on their proverbial backs as they approach the second half of the conference season, heading into the state playoffs.
Up next, the Pioneers host another league contender in Freedom (Morganton) on Thursday, Sept. 25, then High Country rival Ashe County on Sept. 29 in a non-conference tilt. Both matches are slated for around 6 p.m., after junior varsity curtain raisers.
SELECTED INDIVIDUAL STATS
Kills: Emma Pastusic (15), Ashlyn Smith (8), Kora Knight (5), Addie Stough (3), Rae Coffey (2), Julia Rowan (2), Gracyn Phelps (1), Hannah Adams (1), Lainey Gragg (1)
Service Aces: Caroline Childers (3), Ashlyn Smith (3), Emma Pastusic (2), Lainey Gragg (2), Ava Zaragoza (1), Jillian Martin (1)
Assists: Lainey Gragg (29), Ava Zaragoza (2), Ashlyn Smith (1), Emma Pastusic (1), Caroline Childers (1), Jillian Martin (1), Lilli Combs (1)
By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — In a match that was tied 31 times with 17 actual lead changes across four sets, App State emerged the victor against in-state, non-conference rival Davidson on Sept. 21, 3-1 (23-25, 25-21. 25-20, 25-18).
Th Mountaineers had to overcome a ferocious offensive attack by the Wildcats, led by 6-0 junior outside hitter Elena Garcia-Guerrios and 6-1 junior middle blocker Mia Compas. A native of Manati, Puerto Rico, Garcia-Guerrios recorded 26 kills on the afternoon, on a staggering 63 attacks. Compas, a native of Carlsbad, Calif., added 11 kills on 26 attacks.
With Addison Heidemann setting, Maya Winterhoff is prepared to go up for the kill. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
App State countered with sophomore libero MeMe Davis’ and senior outside hitter Ali Morris’ 24 and 12 digs, respectively, to keep the ball in play. While the Wildcats’ offensive prowess seemed to be centered on Garcia-Guerrios and Compas, the overall defensive skills of the Mountaineers set up a multi-faceted attack spread across five key players, including Morris (12 kills), senior middle blocker Maya Winterhoff (10 kills), sophomore outside hitter Bella Hutchens (10 kills), senior outside hitter Keionna Mackey (9 kills), and sophomore middle blocker Lou Johnson (6 kills).
If, as the old saying goes, “Variety is the spice of life,” then an offensive volleyball attack that could come from any direction at any time is a winning strategy. The focal point of App State’s spreading the ball around comes down to the setting abilities of redshirt senior setter, Addison Heidemann, who recorded 38 assists spread across the four sets.
App State defensive specialist Caroline Farthing (5), a Watauga High School alum, keeps the ball in play vs. Davidson on Sept. 21. Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Sunday’s encounter with Davidson concludes the non-conference schedule for the Mountaineers’ 2025 campaign. The finish with a commendable 9-2 record, which included Power Four wins over Duke (3-1) and Virginia (3-2), as well as tight losses to Michigan State (2-3) and North Carolina (1-3).
“Our non-conference schedule was tough and Davidson was a part of that equation. They are a great program,” said App State head coach Chad Sutton afterwards. “We knew it was going to be a battle. The pass well. They serve well. The defend well. They are a physical team with low errors. They have a couple of players over there who are studs. We knew it was going to be a battle and that was what you saw on the court.”
For Sutton and his Mountaineers, they now face a new season.
“The non-conference season doesn’t matter. We have a new season and we want to win every season. The non-conference season for us is about learning ourselves, learning our team, especially with a new (coaching) staff. We had to do a lot of learning during non-conference. Now we have a pretty good idea of everything and we need to refine and fine tune, make a couple of tweaks, hone in and get a little bit better on a couple of our skills,” said Sutton.
Davidson’s Eleana Garcia-Guerrios (19) attacks against block attempts by Maya Winterhoff (2) and Addison Heidemann (4). Photographic image by David Rogers for High Country Sports
Morris, who had a double-double on the day with a dozen kills to go with 12 digs, also talked about the “new season” in speaking with High Country Sports after the match.
“It has been a challenging non-conference schedule and the only two losses being against Power Four schools, Michigan State and North Carolina, that’s incredible,” said Morris. “All of those early games prepared us so well for conference play. Davidson had really good ball control and they were super scrappy. You hit somewhere and they are most likely going to show up there. We love close games and nailbiters to five sets around here, but it was good to get this one in four.”
In his first year leading the Mountaineer volleyball program, Sutton didn’t hesitate in answering a question about his thoughts in taking the App State job.
“Being 9-2 helps!” he said with a broad smile and chuckles from those around him. “Seriously, though, the only challenge in making this decision was our having a baby as I was getting hired in April, so now just five months old. I’m a Florida guy, so I know that snow might be tough, but that was not a factor (in the decision). This team, though, the girls are flying around, making it a lot easier on us as a staff in our transition here. Everybody wants to win.
“The biggest challenge,” he added, “… anytime you take a new job there is an onboarding process. You are new to the area. Outside of the job you have to learn how to function in the community, what your routines are going to be. Add in what your routines are going to be in the job, as well… it is a lot all at once, especially with a new baby. So our challenge has been to get organized quickly on a crammed timeline. Being an April hire, everything is condensed. You have to get organized quick while raising a child for the first time in your life. But this team and this community has been great, making it all easier.”
Sutton and staff will take the Mountaineers into the new, Sun Belt Conference season against James Madison on Friday, Sept. 26, with first serve scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Holmes Convocation Center. They will play the Dukes again on Sept. 27, in a 2 p.m. affair before traveling the following weekend to face Louisiana on Oct. 3 (7 p.m, Eastern time) and Sept. 4 (2 p.m. ET).
BOX SCORE
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger size and Slide Show mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — App State generated 13 shots and controlled possession for much of the match, but a first-half goal proved decisive in a 1-0 setback to Louisiana on Sunday at The Valley.
The Mountaineers (4-5-1, 0-2-1 Sun Belt) had several quality opportunities, placing six shots on target – while another attempt from Izzi Wood went ringing off the goal frame – but none found the back of the net.
Louisiana (4-4-2, 1-1-1) broke through in the 31st minute when Carson Glenn finished off a feed from Addison Soehn for the game’s only goal.
App State pressed hard for an equalizer in the second half. Olivia Simon led the attack with three shots, including two on goal, while Ellie Garrison and Wood also forced saves from Louisiana goalkeeper Natalie Mayes.
Mountaineers’ goalkeeper Anna Claire Jacobi kept the Mountaineers within striking distance, making seven saves in the contest, matching her career high.
The Mountaineers will look to bounce back when they continue Sun Belt play next week against an unbeaten South Alabama team. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
By Layne McNary. BOONE, N.C. — The App State Field Hockey team closed out an undefeated weekend by defeating the Vermont Catamounts 7-1.
The Mountaineers (6-1, 1-0 MAC) never trailed in the contest, scoring within the first two minutes of the opening period.
Sophia Baxter, Lise Boekaar, Frederique Grimbergen, Hadley Kuzmicky and Kate Richardson all scored against the Catamounts (5-3), with Grimbergen netting a hat trick.
How It Happened
1st Quarter: Both teams scored in the opening period, with Grimbergen putting the Mountaineers on the board with 13:31 remaining. Vermont answered with its only goal of the game late in the period, tying it 1-1.
2nd Quarter: The Mountaineers’ offense exploded, scoring three times. Baxter put App State back in the lead after a penalty stroke, followed by goals from Grimbergen and Boekaar to give the Mountaineers a 4-1 lead at the break.
3rd Quarter: It was more of the same, with Grimbergen scoring her third goal of the game from a Bridget Donovan assist. Richardson later followed, scoring her third goal of the season, giving the Mountaineers a 6-1 lead heading into the final period.
4th Quarter: The Mountaineers added one more goal, with Kuzmicky getting her fifth goal of the season from a Richardson pass. Claire Grenis made three saves in the period, bringing her total to five in the 7-1 win.
