LadyKnights

The Robbinsville wrestling program is adding another chapter to its historic legacy: the first-ever Lady Knights team, comprised of girls from Robbinsville Middle School. The coaches are Josh Winfrey (far left) and Sarah Orr (far right).

The Robbinsville wrestling program is adding another chapter to its historic legacy: the first-ever Lady Knights team, comprised of girls from Robbinsville Middle School. The coaches are Josh Winfrey (far left) and Sarah Orr (far right).

Break the walls down

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Robbinsville – As times change, so do the environments that surround us. When the Far West Wrestling program picked up steam last winter, it was mostly because of the unusually-high amount of girls that trotted onto the mat to grapple. Yes, girls.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights clinched a share of the Smoky Mountain Conference title for the second time in four seasons Oct. 13, sweeping Swain County on senior night. All names are listed from left. Front row: Fala Welch, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell and Tai Owle. Back row: Assistant coach Dede Brooms, manager Eden Orr, Liz Carpenter, Suri Watty, Delaney Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha, Kensley Phillips, head coach Kadey Phillips and line judge Jade Teesateskie. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Step 1: Complete

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Robbinsville – Entering the 2022 season, they heard the whispers. The doubts. The naysayers. Then the Robbinsville Lady Knights assessed the circumstances and posted a 15-win campaign, which culminated Oct. 13 with a 14-25, 14-25, 20-25 sweep of Swain County (12-11) on senior night.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights surprised senior Kensley Phillips with gifts immediately after Oct. 6’s home match against Andrews, to help celebrate Phillips surpassing the 1,000-dig threshold. Surrounding Phillips are (back row, from left): Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Aubrie Wachacha and team manager Eden Orr; (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Tai Owle and Olivia Lewis; kneeling in front, Delaney Brooms (left) and Suri Watty.

The Robbinsville Lady Knights surprised senior Kensley Phillips with gifts immediately after Oct. 6’s home match against Andrews, to help celebrate Phillips surpassing the 1,000-dig threshold. Surrounding Phillips are (back row, from left): Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Aubrie Wachacha and team manager Eden Orr; (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Tai Owle and Olivia Lewis; kneeling in front, Delaney Brooms (left) and Suri Watty.

Can you dig it?

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Robbinsville – Just two days after her older sister hit a coaching milestone, Kensley Phillips found her own way into the annals of Lady Knights volleyball history. Kadey Phillips recorded her 100th career win as head coach of the Lady Knights at Swain County on Sept. 27. Skip ahead to Sept.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (1) springs to a kill attempt during Tuesday’s road conference match at Murphy. The Lady Knights dropped the match in four sets and are now tied with the Lady Bulldogs atop the divisional standings. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms (1) springs to a kill attempt during Tuesday’s road conference match at Murphy. The Lady Knights dropped the match in four sets and are now tied with the Lady Bulldogs atop the divisional standings. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Crowded at the top

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Murphy – It took a pair of grueling road matches to unseat Robbinsville from the top spot in the conference standings. The Lady Knights fell victim to a 5-set loss at Cherokee (13-6, 5-2) on Sept. 29, before traveling to Murphy (16-4, 5-2) and suffering a 4-set defeat.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights surround head coach Kadey Phillips on Tuesday, moments after a 4-set victory at Swain County gave Phillips’ her 100th career win. All names are listed from left. Kneeling in front: Suri Watty and Delaney Brooms. Second row: Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Tai Owle, manager Eden Orr, Kadey Phillips, Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell, assistant coach Dede Brooms and Fala Welch. Standing in back is Aubrie Wachacha. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Lady Knights surround head coach Kadey Phillips on Tuesday, moments after a 4-set victory at Swain County gave Phillips’ her 100th career win. All names are listed from left. Kneeling in front: Suri Watty and Delaney Brooms. Second row: Claire Barlow, Liz Carpenter, Tai Owle, manager Eden Orr, Kadey Phillips, Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell, assistant coach Dede Brooms and Fala Welch. Standing in back is Aubrie Wachacha. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Model of consistency

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 30, 2022
Bryson City – It took Kadey Phillips just 130 matches to carve out 100 career wins. The clincher was a 4-set Robbinsville Lady Knights triumph at Swain County on Tuesday.
Nothing was going to erase the smile off Destanee Shay Trammell’s face Friday, after the Robbinsville High School senior was announced as the 2022-23 Homecoming Queen. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Nothing was going to erase the smile off Destanee Shay Trammell’s face Friday, after the Robbinsville High School senior was announced as the 2022-23 Homecoming Queen. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Destined to be Queen

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 30, 2022
Robbinsville – Ten members of the senior class experienced a whirlwind Friday. Hair. Nails. Make-up. A parade. Pause for five seconds, then don a dress for photos. Before you know it, halftime arrives and it is time to await the outcome of a vote from your peers.
Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell (6) could not contain her excitement after the final point of the Lady Knights’ 4-set victory at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Also soaking up the moment was Tai Owle (14), Kensley Phillips (4), assistant coach Dede Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha (16), Suri Watty (2) and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell (6) could not contain her excitement after the final point of the Lady Knights’ 4-set victory at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Also soaking up the moment was Tai Owle (14), Kensley Phillips (4), assistant coach Dede Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha (16), Suri Watty (2) and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Righting the ship

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Sylva – Twice the Robbinsville Lady Knights traveled to Jackson County last week. Twice, they returned home with victories. Coming off a tough sweep at Asheville Christian Academy on Sept.

Tough at the top

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Hayesville – The Lady Knights are still the team to beat in the Smoky Mountain Conference. Though the Hayesville Lady Jackets gave Robbinsville a tough road match Sept. 8, the Knights prevailed in a compact 28-26, 25-23, 28-26 sweep.
Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle, Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell and Claire Barlow (from left) erupt after a decisive kill Sept. 1 against Murphy. The Lady Knights handed the Bulldogs a 4-set loss. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Robbinsville’s Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle, Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell and Claire Barlow (from left) erupt after a decisive kill Sept. 1 against Murphy. The Lady Knights handed the Bulldogs a 4-set loss. Photo by Justin Fitzgerald/Cherokee Scout

Deja vu

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Robbinsville – It’s ok if you feel like you have seen this ending before. Ostensibly, you have. Sure, some of the players have changed. There’s a new setter for Robbinsville – senior Desta Trammell – and Murphy’s frontline defense has a different look for the 2022 season.
The work of Robbinsville’s younger varsity players – including Claire Barlow, shown contesting a Highlands return Aug. 23 – was crucial to the Knights’ clinching a four-set victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

The work of Robbinsville’s younger varsity players – including Claire Barlow, shown contesting a Highlands return Aug. 23 – was crucial to the Knights’ clinching a four-set victory over Cherokee on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights etch 1st conference win

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Robbinsville – Going into Tuesday’s conference opener, the Lady Knights seemingly held all the cards.