Columbus – The second round of the state playoffs remains a hurdle the Lady Knights have been unable to clear since 2019.
Robbinsville had a tough draw in this year’s second-round match, as the program was summoned to Polk County to face the defending 1A champions. The Lady Wolverines showed why they are serious contenders for a repeat crown, sweeping the Knights 17-25, 11-25, 18-25 to end Robbinsville’s postseason run.
“It’s definitely not a day I want to focus on too much,” said Robbinsville senior middle hitter Claire Barlow. “Instead, I want to remember all the amazing times I’ve had playing this awesome sport. Playing as a Lady Knight has been an absolute ball and I would not change it for the world. From beginning to end, this sport has been nothing but incredible; volleyball is truly magical.”
To its credit, Robbinsville (No. 14 seed in 1A West, 18-10) presented Polk County (No. 3, 20-3) with a fight from the opening whistle. Though Mia Bradley and Lexi Beller delivered some hard spikes in the early going for the Wolverines, the Knights clawed away at a 10-20 deficit thanks to some quick reads up front by Chloe Adams, Claire Barlow and Liz Carpenter. Robbinsville closed the gap slightly because of the audibles between tips and definitive kills, as well as Suri Watty sending a flurry of serves to the hosts that proved challenging to handle.
Barlow continued to show her front-row prowess in the second, which the defending champs had little response for. Instead, it was a run at the service line from Bradley that helped the Wolverines once again open a 10-point advantage of 8-18.
Robbinsville truly saved the best of the night for last. For the first time in the match, the Knights captured a lead in set three, going on a 3-0 sprint to begin and forcing Polk to call its first timeout of the affair with Robbinsville ahead 12-10. Bradley again proved to be a thorn in the visitor’s side after the strategy session, punctuating a front-row assault with devastating kills to help the Wolverines pull ahead 13-16.
Polk County never relinquished control from that point forward.
“This season was very memorable and I enjoyed every day of it,” senior liber Olivia Lewis said. “This was not the day for us and I hope that the underclassmen don’t let it define them in the upcoming seasons, because I know they will do great things.
“At the end of the day, I have loved playing volleyball and I am so grateful that God blessed me with these amazing experiences.”
“Lady Knights volleyball will always hold a special place in my heart,” Barlow added. “(Freshman) Daphne (Barlow) will be continuing ‘The Stomp’ (a signature celebration for Claire) next year. The legacy continues.”
Polk County will travel to Cherokee (No. 1, 25-1) to contend for the 1A Western Regional Championship tonight.