Knights’ season ended by Devils
Bryson City – At the end of the day, it boils down to one simple fact: Swain County had Robbinsville’s number this year.
Despite the Lady Knights and Lady Devils already playing each other three times in 2023 – including the semifinals of the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Oct. 17 – the N.C. High School Athletic Association paired the programs together for one final hurrah in the first round of the playoffs. Counting a controversial 5-set loss to Swain County (No. 15 seed, 19-6) at Oct. 10’s Senior Night, Robbinsville (No. 18, 15-9) had seen the Maroon Devils three times in a span of 11 days when they arrived in Bryson City on Saturday.
Try as they might, the Lady Knights could not contend with the hot middle hitting of Swain’s Gracie Sutton and Kinsley Hyatt and for the third time in 2023, the Lady Devils emerged with a 4-set win: 16-25, 25-16, 19-25, 22-25.
The defeat was the first time Robbinsville had fell in the opening round of the postseason since a 5-set loss at West Montgomery on Oct. 24, 2018.
“I love volleyball. It’s hard to believe this is the last time I will ever step on the court,” senior Tia Hall said. “Volleyball has been such a big part of my life. I’ve enjoyed it so much over the last four years.
“Lady Knights volleyball will hold a special place in my heart and I will also cherish all the lifelong friends I have made along the way.”
Aside from Swain and divisional champion Cherokee (No. 4, 22-3), all other Smoky Mountain Conference programs who qualified were also eliminated in the first round. The All-Conference team will be released either after the playoffs are over, or all divisional competition is eliminated – whichever comes first.
“I feel like I’ve lost something that was a huge part of my life,” echoed another senior, Aubrie Wachacha. “I keep thinking, ‘This can’t be the end of my volleyball career,’ but it is. I think about me and Delaney growing up, playing this sport together from day one. Now, we don’t get to play volleyball together again.
“But, it happens to everyone. Sometimes, everything good comes to an end. It may be hard to think I won’t be stepping on a volleyball court in high school again, but it’s time to move on. The last four years have been a roller coaster, but I had a blast. I got to make one big family out of everyone who has been there throughout my volleyball career. I’m glad that I got to have two of the best coaches that have supported me and pushed me to be the best I could be, on- and off-the-court.
“I’m sad that volleyball is over, but I will never lose the love, friendships and family I have made out of this.”
SMC Round-Up
1st Round of Playoffs: Oct. 21, 2023
* Cherokee (No. 4) defeated College Prep & Leadership Academy (No. 29): 3-25, 6-25, 5-25;
* Hayesville (No. 24) lost at Rosman (No. 9) : 19-25, 15-25, 23-25;
* Murphy (No. 20) fell to Bishop McGuinness (No. 13): 16-25, 18-25, 25-17, 19-25;
* Robbinsville (No. 18) was defeated by Swain County (No. 15): 16-25, 25-16, 19-25, 22-25.
2nd Round of Playoffs: Oct. 24, 2023
* Cherokee swept Bishop McGuinness: 23-25, 11-25, 23-25;
* Swain County lost to Highland Tech (No. 2): final set scores could not be confirmed by Wednesday’s press deadline.