Pioneers sweep Spartans 3-0

From staff reports

SAWMILLS — Watauga’s volleyball team swept South Caldwell 3-0 Thursday, winning 25-20, 25-22 and 25-17.

The Pioneers (8-1, 3-0 Northwestern 4-A Conference), got 14 kills and five blocks from Kelly Cherry-Leigh, six kills and 16 digs defensively from Brianna Brown and 11 kills and 11 digs from Brooke Sturgill.

Watauga, which is in first place in the NWC, also got nine kills from Paris Brown and 30 assists from setter Chandler Butler. Leah Thompson added 18 digs and 10 kills.

The Pioneers’ jayvee team also rolled to a 2-0 victory over South Caldwell. Watauga claimed the first game 25-14 and the second 25-18. Nicole Tesh had seven kills and Holly Hinson added 21 assists.

The Pioneers stay busy this week with a match at home Tuesday against Freedom, another match Wednesday at Hickory and then a third at home Thursday against McDo-well.

Girls’ tennis

Watauga had no trouble cruising to a 9-0 victory over South Caldwell last Thursday afternoon. Briana Fleming, Sara Blackwelder, Mary Clements, Meredith Massey, Ariel Nicastro and Tatum Reese all posted singles victories for the Pioneers (5-1, 5-0 NWC).

Fleming and Blackwelder teamed to win at No. 1 doubles while Massey and Nicastro did the same at No. 2 doubles. Olivia Bowler and Austin Williamson won at No. 3 doubles.

Watauga hosts Freedom,a team it beat earlier this year, Tuesday and McDowell Thursday.

Cross country

GREENSBORO — Watauga’s ‘B’ team finished 14th and Watauga’s ‘A’ team was 15th at the relay meet held Saturday.

Watauga’s ‘B’ team, consisting of Brooks Forsyth, Ben Vollmer, Nik Hay, Zeb Sanders and Will Barbour, turned in a combined time of 44 minutes, 14 seconds. The overall course was 2,500 meters.

Watauga’s ‘A’ team, consisting of Luke Nelson, Tyler McDonald, Wesley Templeton, Ian Boyd and Jordan Trivette, finished with a time of 44:36.

Watauga’s girls’  ‘A’ team, comprised of Dolly Dollars, Elisabeth Freeman, Crysal Tsang, Ruth Smith and Amanda Carringer, finished 16th with a combined time of 54:52. Watauga’s ‘B’ team was 33rd with a 1:00:21. That team included Kathryn Glaser, Aiden Berry, Yaneli Smith, Hillary Prevost and Fiona Shrine.