Robbinsville clinches first-ever conference championship
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Lady Knights Kennedy Cable, Karlyn Matheson, Liz Ayers, Yeika Jimenez, Gracye Burchfield and Karcee Dooley (from left) celebrate after a point during Oct. 10’s sweep against Rosman. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com
Robbinsville – “Ever” is a long time.
But the Robbinsville High School Lady Knights have set the new standard for that word, as the Lady Knights have already clinched their first-ever Smoky Mountain Conference title and their best win/loss record.
Ever.
“I’m so proud of them,” said Lady Knights head coach Kadey Phillips, herself a former player for Robbinsville. “Conference is a goal that I have had since I played myself and for us to finally accomplish that is amazing.”
Robbinsville (19-2, 11-1) has most recently swept Rosman (10-7) in a 25-17, 26-24, 25-18 home match Oct. 10; Nantahala (2-15) in a make-up road match 25-1, 25-8, 25-7 on Saturday and took care of Swain County (12-9) in four sets during the conference title-clinching match Tuesday night: 20-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-21.
All that stands between the Lady Knights and a 20-win campaign is a rematch with Nantahala, which takes place at 5 p.m. today.
Against Rosman, Karlyn Matheson fired off a team-high 14 kills. Both Liz Ayers and Gabby Hooper led the Knights in aces – serving up three each – while Gracye Burchfield, Matheson, Yeika Jimenez and Karcee Dooley each had two blocks. Hooper’s 14 digs led Robbinsville, while Ayers tallied 20 assists.
At Nantahala, Matheson again led the team in kills, posting nine. Ayers sent nine unanswered serves into Lady Hawks territory, while Jimenez posted eight digs. Ayers also had 20 assists in the victory.
Stats from the Swain County win were not available at press time.
Looking in a mirror
Should Murphy (19-2, 10-1) win tonight’s season finale against Andrews, both the Lady Knights and the Lady Bulldogs will finish in a first-place tie atop the conference standings.
Murphy won it all last year, yet Robbinsville has never enjoyed even a share of the title. Both teams have only lost to each other and Franklin this year.
How appropriate that the conference tournament begins Saturday.
At Murphy.
It could very well come down to the first-place conference teams, with bragging rights and more importantly, seeding in the state playoffs on the line.
“We’ve worked so hard,” Phillips added. “I hope we keep going strong and finish the tournament and keep pushing through the playoffs.”
Junior varsity
The Lady Knights (9-9) finished their junior varsity season with a pair of sweeps: 25-10, 25-4 over Rosman and 25-18, 25-22 at Swain.
Middle school
Just one match remains for Robbinsville’s middle school team.
The Knights (6-9) fell to Rosman 12-25, 14-25, but Swain 30-28, 25-14.
Robbinsville hosts Martins Creek for eighth-grade recognition night today at 4 p.m.
