SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 ISSUE
WHS Volleyball Team Eyes Another Winning Season
Pioneers Begin Conference Play Against South Caldwell Thursday
The Watauga volleyball team is going for a fourth straight conference championship and will be led by setter Bailey Hagaman (left) and middle blocker Madison Bakken. The program has won 10 conference titles since 1990. Photo by Jason Gilmer
The expectation of winning a conference championship hangs over the heads of every volleyball player at Watauga High School.
From the rafters, anyway.
There’s a banner, there among others touting championships that hang above the gym floor, that is quickly running out of space because of the volleyball team’s success.
When a program wins like the volleyball one has, the anticipation of another title is always there.
“They come into the program knowing the history and they strive to keep that going,” coach Kim Pryor said. “A lot of them say they don’t focus on that, and it’s not my focus going into the season, but they know the expectations are there and they step up to those expectations.”
The Pioneers, who start conference play at 4:30 p.m. this Thursday, September 10, against South Caldwell, have won three straight conference titles and championships in five of the last eight seasons.
Since 1990, the Pioneers have won 10 conference titles and been the state runners-up twice.
Players don’t see the team’s past success as something they must continue, though they are certainly trying to repeat past teams’ winning ways.
“I guess there’s a standard that we look to and strive for, but we don’t see it as pressure,” captain and setter Bailey Hagaman said.
“I don’t think there’s really any pressure,” captain and middle blocker Madison Bakken said. “Our coaches don’t make it a requirement to win, just for us to go out there and have fun and do our best. I know we want to win the conference title.”
If the Pioneers do win a fourth consecutive conference title, they’ll do it with a young team. Bakken (a Mars Hill commitment), right-side hitter Katherine Mayhew and middle blocker Nicole Tesh are the lone seniors on the team. Last year, there were six seniors on the team.
There are three juniors (Hagaman, defensive specialist Autumn Cook, outside hitter Kelley Martin), four sophomores (libero Skylar Hicks, outside hitter Colby Combs, outside hitter Hannah Stewart and right-side hitter Anna Church) and two freshmen (outside hitter Channing Hagaman and middle blocker Brooke Rhodes) that round out the team.
“Anytime you come in with a young team you don’t have as many expectations as when you have a large senior class. It’s actually fun as a coach,” Pryor said. “You’re trying new things and seeing who works well together on the court. Fortunately for us, no matter which players I put on the court, they all respond and work well together.”
So well that the Pioneers have started the year 7-0.
Players said that they work well together and are playing as a unit, which has helped to foster the quick start.
“I’m really glad we’re starting off strongly and I think we’re going to be really good this year,” Bailey Hagaman said. “I’m not really surprised by [our start].”
“The talent level of this team is tremendous. We have great passers, a tremendous setter in Bailey and an outstanding offense and surrounding that we have great serving,” Pryor said. “The combination of all that means that if one part of your game isn’t working well, then something else is. It gives us some leeway that if we make mistakes we can bounce back.”
Watauga Pioneers Upcoming Volleyball Matches
Thursday, September 10 vs. South Caldwell, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 at North Surry, TBA
Monday, September 14 vs. East Burke, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 15 at Hibriten, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 17 vs. Foard, 4:30 p.m.
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