Robbinsville – The Lady Knights' initial sampling of what the Smoky Mountain Conference has to offer this season was quite the thriller.
Tuesday's divisional opener brought Murphy (2-1, 1-1) to town, in a match that stayed close throughout the duration. Split 1-1 after set two, Robbinsville (3-1, 1-0) surged ahead and sent the Lady Bulldogs packing in a hard-fought 23-25, 25-22, 22-25, 26-28 victory.
The triumph helped leave a tough loss in the rearview mirror. The Lady Knights were downed in four sets Monday at Smoky Mountain (2-2) on Monday: 20-25, 8-25, 28-26, 22-25.
The Knights will not return to conference play until traveling to Andrews (1-1, 0-1) on Thursday, Aug. 28.
Wedged in-between is a set of affairs with Little Smoky Mountain Conference programs: a visit to Summit Charter (0-3) tonight will be followed by Highlands (0-4) coming to Graham County on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
JV, middle school
Robbinsville (3-0) stayed unblemished in junior-varsity action this season, kickstarting the effort with a 25-19, 25-19 sweep at Smoky Mountain on Monday. The Lady Knights moved on to down the Bulldogs 8-25, 25-19, 7-15 on Tuesday.
The middle school program made its season debut Tuesday, picking up a 15-25, 23-25 win over Murphy.