Robbinsville – Things didn’t go according to plan.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights (16-3, 7-2) held all the cards entering Oct. 7’s Smoky Mountain Conference home match against Murphy (17-1, 9-0); a chance to erase a road sweep at the hands of the Bulldogs on Sept. 15, senior night emotions flowing through the gymnasium and a chance to clinch a share of the divisional title.
And even though Murphy prevailed in a hard-fought set one, 25-23, Robbinsville thundered back to tie the match with a 20-25, set-two victory.
But as sets three and four waned on, the Lady Knights were unable to get into a tempo. Despite several mini-rallies, Robbinsville ultimately fell 25-18, 25-16 and will finish second in the conference as a result.
Still, head coach Kadey Phillips is undeterred.
“It was a tough loss,” said Phillips. “However, I think the best of our season is ahead of us.
“We are anxious to start playoffs and I am still confident we will make a run and compete for a state title.”
After sweeping Andrews (5-8, 2-7) by way of 25-9, 25-11, 26-24 set scores Tuesday, Robbinsville wraps up the regular season tonight at Hayesville (7-10, 3-6). The conference tournament begins Saturday – Robbinsville plays host this season – and then the first round of the state playoffs will be Saturday, Oct. 23.
JV, middle school
Robbinsville (9-7) split its junior varsity slate this week, dropping a 21-25, 25-15, 15-10 match to Murphy, but swept Andrews in straight sets: 25-21, 25-8.
Against the Lady Wildcats, the Knights put the match out of reach in quick fashion. Following the competitive set one, Olivia Stewart began serving for Robbinsville and by the time she was finished, the Lady Knights led 10-0.
The quick lead was bolstered by some key middle hitting from Claire Barlow.
The middle school Lady Knights (7-4) rallied from a 25-19 loss in set one against Murphy to take down the Lady Bulldogs in sets two and three, 22-25, 6-15.
Against the Lady Wildcats on Tuesday, Robbinsville overcome a 14-18 deficit in set one with some strong serving late by Ryn Hooper, prevailing 25-21. Andrews rallied from a 19-13 deficit in set two to triumph 20-25, but the Knights secured the victory in the tiebreaker, 15-9.