Robbinsville falls in first duel with Murphy
Robbinsville – Fresh off a four-set, comeback victory at Swain County on Dec. 4, the Lady Knights seemed to have all the momentum needed to prevail.
But in the first pairing of the 2019 co-Smoky Mountain Conference champions, Robbinsville (6-2, 5-2) could not get things clicking, ultimately dropping a 25-19, 26-24, 27-25 affair to Murphy (6-0, 5-0).
“We definitely didn’t play our best volleyball,” Knights head coach Kadey Phillips said. “However, we were still able to keep the score close and take them over 25 points for two sets.
“I feel confident that we will be better prepared next time, and hopefully we will be able to pull out a win.”
Sets two and three could easily have went in Robbinsville’s favor. Down 11-4, the Knights rallied behind the strength of Ally Ayers’ serves – and the quartet of Yeika Jimenez, Delaney Brooms, Ivy Odom and Karcee Dooley working big up front with blocks and hits – to eventually take a 11-13 advantage.
Murphy would later prevail in the second stanza, but the Lady Knights stood on the cusp of forcing a fourth set by reaching match-point and leading the Lady Bulldogs 22-24 in set three. Robbinsville had opened a 9-2 lead, propelled by strong serves from Odom and Brooms.
Monday took Robbinsville to Clay County, where the Knights would pick up a 25-8, 25-13, 22-25, 25-16 victory against Hayesville (4-3, 3-3).
JV, middle school
Robbinsville (3-3) prevailed against Murphy in the junior-varsity slate 25-23, 21-25, 15-9. At Hayesville, the Knights fell 15-25, 17-25.
The middle school Lady Knights (2-6) fell in straight sets to the Lady Bulldogs: 25-11, 25-21. The trip to Hayesville resulted in a 10-25, 16-25 loss.