By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — After falling behind 1-6 in the first set, Watauga men’s volleyball team rallied behind a strong early service performance by Devon Shook to go on a 10-4 run and take an 11-10 lead they never gave up. The Pioneers used that momentum to take a 25-20, 25-16, 25-18 sweep over St. Stephens on May 5 in Lentz Eggers Gym.
The visiting Indians of St. Stephens didn’t go away quietly, coached by a former middle blocker star of the Pioneer varsity women’s team and current Lenoir-Rhyne graduate student Emma Clark.
“Our guys really played well together,” said Watauga head coach Robyn Lindenmuth. “They worked with each other, complementing one another’s skills and using each other.”
Coach Lindenmuth noted exceptional play by setter Noah Brown, middle blocker Colby Whiteside and other offensive stalwarts Jonathan Bouboulis and Brady Lindenmuth.
For Round 2 of the North Carolina men’s volleyball playoffs, Watauga travels to Hendersonville on May 8 (6:30 p.m. first serve) to face North Henderson.
