* Robbinsville volleyball season preview
Robbinsville – For just the second time in program history, the Lady Knights ended a season atop the Smoky Mountain Conference standings.
And in looking past a second-round playoff exit, head coach Kadey Phillips is confident that players returning to the front row of the rotation will enter the 2023 campaign Monday with the first step of the yearly process in mind: repeat as divisional champs – something Robbinsville volleyball has never done.
“I feel like we still have a very strong team,” Phillips said. “We did lose our setter and a four-year starter outside, so we have had to make some adjustments – but I feel like we have a lot of strong hitters.”
Desta Trammell and Kensley Phillips are the respective players Kadey alluded to. The latter will still be present, as the reigning conference player of the year – and the program’s all-time digs leader – has stepped up to join Dede Brooms as an assistant coach.
The team still has weapons like senior Delaney Brooms, an All-Conference outside hitter that led the division in kills last year (368); Aubrie Wachacha, another senior who was impactful in the middle last year; junior Claire Barlow, a pleasant surprise for the team in 2022 with her blocking ability (she led the conference, with 51); plus junior Liz Carpenter and senior Tia Hall, both of whom could see action on the right side.
“Delaney is definitely our powerhouse; our go-to when we need points,” coach Phillips said. “She is just as strong defensively as she is offensively. She’s our all-around player and will be a key to pulling us through this season.
“Aubrie is a strong returner for us. She blocks very well and is a strong middle – plus she has a killer serve. I think she will bring a lot to the table. This is Tia’s first year on varsity, but she has really came out of her shell and I’m excited to see what she is going to do. Claire is going to be a very strong competitor for us, too; her and Aubrie were both honorable mentions last year.”
Everything is good up front – the back line is coach Phillips’ question mark.
“We’ve been revolving our practices around the back row, trying to strengthen it back up to support the offense,” coach Phillips noted.
There is certainly a youth movement in the back.
The new setter looks to be sophomore Ryn Hooper; while junior Olivia Lewis steps in as the defensive setter after her promotion to varsity.
Sophomore Anna Williams has also received the call-up and will be a key factor when needed for Robbinsville.
Starting libero Suri Watty also returns for her sophomore year to round out the mix.
“Ryn has been to all the summer workouts and was willing to step up and be the setter, which is the quarterback of the volleyball team – they run your offense,” said coach Phillips. “It’s a lot of pressure and they don’t get a lot of glory out of that position, so it’s hard to find somebody willing to step into that role. With Ryn being a young underclassman, her being willing to step into that is awesome. We’re excited to have her.
“I’m excited to have Suri back; she will be great defensively. I forget that she is only a sophomore, so for her to be as young as she is, I’m really excited to see what she can bring. I think she will be a huge asset for us.”
Robbinsville begins the slate with four matches at home and will get its first bite of conference action Aug. 29 at Murphy. Both the Knights and Bulldogs finished in a tie for the divisional crown last year: thus the contest promises to be extremely competitive, as both vie for top honors once again.
“That’s the goal each year,” coach Phillips concluded.
Catch the Lady Knights all season long at grahamstarsports.com.