Andrews – Following an early exit from the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament Tuesday – the result of a 4-set loss to Swain County in the semifinals – Robbinsville’s volleyball program is unsure if it will play another match this year.
The Lady Devils proved to be an obstacle the Lady Knights could not overcome this year. Prior to Sept. 21, Swain County (No. 2 tournament seed, 18-5) had not defeated Robbinsville (No. 3, 15-8) in volleyball action since 2016; the Maroon Devils ultimately handed the Knights three losses this season, quelling Robbinsville’s hopes of finishing as the regular-season divisional runner-up.
Combined with Cherokee (No. 1, 20-3) securing the conference title by going a perfect 10-0 in the league, the Lady Knights fell from defending champions to a third-place finish in the race. The Lady Braves took the regular-season finale Oct. 12 over Robbinsville: 21-25, 21-25, 9-25.
The Knights entered the tournament Monday, sweeping the hosting Lady Wildcats (No. 6, 6-13) in the quarterfinals 18-20, 20-25, 18-25. Robbinsville looked energized for the first two sets of Tuesday’s semifinal quest against Swain, but went on to fall 26-24, 25-27, 18-25, 20-25.
The N.C. High School Athletic Association released its postseason bracket Thursday – and ironically enough, Robbinsville (No. 18 seed) will get one final shot at redemption, as the Lady Knights take on Swain County (No. 15) at 3 p.m. Saturday.
JV, middle school
Sadly, both of Robbinsville’s feeder teams ended their campaigns on down notes as well.
The JV Lady Knights finished the year 2-17, after a 13-25, 10-25 sweep at Cherokee and a loss in the conference-tournament opener to Swain County on Saturday (set scores were not received by Wednesday’s press deadline).
Robbinsville had a strong middle-school season, going 9-4 overall. The Knights fell 24-26, 22-25 to the Lady Braves on Oct. 12; there is no middle school tournament.