Kernersville – The Lady Knights successful campaign came to an unexpected end Tuesday.
Robbinsville (No. 12 seed, 20-4) was paired with the Bishop McGuinness Lady Villains (No. 5 seed, 24-5) in the second round of the 1A state playoffs and showed some fire in the first set, but were ultimately swept 21-25, 16-25, 13-25, bringing a close to a season that featured the Lady Knights winning their second-straight Smoky Mountain Conference tournament.
“We definitely didn’t play our best game,” Robbinsville head coach Kadey Phillips said after Tuesday’s loss. “We also underestimated Bishop McGuinness; they had a very quick offense that we just weren’t ready for.
“Our defense struggled against their fast offense and with our defense typically being our strong suit, it really got us out of system.”
Six seniors depart the team: libero Halee Anderson, setter Ally Ayers, outside hitters Ivy Odom and Phoebe Rattler, and middle hitters Yeika Jimenez and Kelsey Waldroup.
“Losing six seniors leaves us a lot court to fill next season,” coach Phillips pointed out. “However, our upcoming players have great potential and I’m excited to see what they will bring to the table next season.”
Sauras swept
Any minor kerfuffle’s against the Lady Knights’ first-round opponent – South Stokes – were quickly thwarted, as Robbinsville swept the visiting Sauras (No. 21 seed, 8-17) in a 9-25, 19-25, 15-25 match Saturday.
Heavy hitting by outside hitters Delaney Brooms and Kensley Phillips – as well as middle hitter Yeika Jimenez – kept South Stokes’ libero Stormie Coates busy on the back row in the first set.
Robbinsville found itself in a slugfest during set two. Anna Martin found some open gaps on the Knights’ side of the net during the segment, but Robbinsville persevered when Aubrie Wachacha checked in and served the Lady Knights’ out of a 16-15 deficit to a 16-20 lead. Phillips swatted a trio of kills during the run to aid the cause.
Firmly in the driver’s seat, Robbinsville broke away from a 6-6 deadlock in set three and went on a 10-0 run to secure the advantage, with Jimenez serving up three aces during the stretch.