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).
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.
“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).”
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)
Blocks: Addie Stough (4), Lainey Gragg (1), Hannah Adams (1), Kora Knight (1)
Digs: Caroline Childers (14), Ashlyn Smith (10), Lainey Gragg (7), Lilli Combs (7), Emma Pastusic (3), Addie Stough (2), Jillian Martin (2), Ava Zaragoza (2), Kora Knight (1)
Serve Receives: Caroline Childers (13) Emma Pastusic (11), Ashlyn Smith (5), Lilli Combs (1), Gracyn Phelps (1)
BONUS PHOTOS (click any image for larger view and Slide Show mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
