Lady Knights power through conference action
Robbinsville – Five of the Lady Knights’ victories this year have came thanks to clean sweeps.
Looking up and down the roster, there are many factors you can attribute Robbinsville’s performance out of the gate:
* Back-row coverage? Check. Libero Suri Watty and defensive specialist Olivia Lewis have certainly kept the ball afloat in crucial moments of each match;
* Serving? Senior Aubrie Wachacha had nine aces in Aug. 31’s fanning (20-25, 11-25, 13-25) of Andrews (2-6, 0-3).
Nine. Claire Barlow, Delaney Brooms, Liz Carpenter and Suri Watty have been no slouches behind the line, either;
* Overall defense? Players like senior Tia Hall, sophomore setter Ryn Hooper, Carpenter, Watty and Barlow lay it all on the line when it comes to scrambling for a wild return. Each pursue the ball to the furthest limits possible and you could say one (Barlow) takes it on the chin from time-to-time;
* Blocking? See Barlow, Claire (last year’s conference leader in the category) and Wachacha, Aubrie – because she is 6-foot-2 and you cannot teach that;
* Attacking? Check – and double check. Barlow, Brooms, Carpenter and Wachacha have wreaked havoc on any front-row defense the opposition has dared try to challenge the formidable hitters.
In particular, Brooms was especially locked in during Tuesday’s 18-25, 23-25, 23-25 home sweep over Hayesville (2-6, 1-2). Known for spikes that would disintegrate a ball just one day past its expiration date, Brooms delivered lasers that the Jackets just prayed they could properly receive – and in most instances, could not.
JV, middle school
The next crop of varsity superstars stayed busy over the last week, as well.
Robbinsville fell to 1-7 in junior-varsity competition this year, incurring straight-set losses at the hands of Andrews, 25-19, 25-16; and Hayesville, 25-13, 25-15.
The middle school Lady Knights split the slate, conquering Andrews 17-25, 18-25; before suffering their first setback of the season in a 3-set loss to the Lady Jackets: 14-25, 25-20, 15-13.
Robbinsville is 4-1 in middle-school play.