Graham County youth teams make huge statement about volleyball future
Cherokee – All told, three different teams from Graham County suited up for Smokey Mountain Youth Conference volleyball action this season: two from Robbinsville and one representing Snowbird.
And if Saturday’s year-ending championship tournament was any indication of what’s to come down the road, Robbinsville’s volleyball program will be just fine.
Robbinsville Black swept Snowbird 21-25, 14-25 to capture the showcase’s title; while the Robbinsville White (No. 2 seed) line-up fell to the Lady Warriors in the quarterfinals – but advanced to a showdown with Cherokee for third-place bragging rights.
Ultimately, the White Lady Knights dropped a 25-10, 17-25, 15-7 battle to the Lady Braves.
“I’m so extremely proud of both teams on their success in the regular season and in the conference tournament,” said Holly Jackson, who served as head coach of both Robbinsville squads. “Both teams have shown tremendous growth from the start of the season. Their hard work and dedication has paid off and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“I am so excited to see what the future holds for these little Lady Knights.”
In the championship match, Snowbird (No. 6 seed) found itself in a 19-14 rut against the No. 1-seeded Black Lady Knights, before going on a comeback bid that saw the Warriors trim the deficit to 21-23. Robbinsville quickly gathered its bearings and did not acquiesce even one more point down the stretch.
Once the Lady Knights opened set two on an 8-1 sprint, they had all the momentum needed to secure gold medals.
“The Snowbird Lady Warriors showed up and showed out for the youth league tournament,” said Snowbird head coach Skyler Toineeta. “We might have finished the regular season (in) sixth (place), but they came to play Saturday. We were a young team, with only five players that have actually played in a game/tournament.
“We focused on this tournament one game at a time. They played their absolute hearts out and left it all on the court. They maintained positive attitudes throughout the games and even though we might have lost in the championship, they held their heads high and showed great sportsmanship.
“I am very proud of this team – not only on their performance and willingness to learn, but on watching them support the other teams and giving encouragement to them.
“I am very happy, grateful and honored to coach this hard working group of young ladies.”
This year’s league was comprised of teams from each of the Smoky Mountain Conference schools – and in some instances, included multiple rosters: Andrews, Cherokee, Hayesville (Black and Gold), Murphy, Robbinsville (Black and White), Snowbird and Swain County (Maroon and White).