LadyKnights

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.
The 2022 Robbinsville varsity cross country team. Names are listed from left in both rows. Front: Skyler Oliver, Kamree Oliver, Jennifer Guzman, Liberty Hartley, Abby Wehr and Elizabeth Boyle. Back: Ethan Webster, Skyler Anderson, Bruce Helms, Xander Wachacha, William Cable, Zeb Stewart, Albert Avella and Braxton Hicks. Not pictured is head coach Kaitlyn Carringer-Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2022 Robbinsville varsity cross country team. Names are listed from left in both rows. Front: Skyler Oliver, Kamree Oliver, Jennifer Guzman, Liberty Hartley, Abby Wehr and Elizabeth Boyle. Back: Ethan Webster, Skyler Anderson, Bruce Helms, Xander Wachacha, William Cable, Zeb Stewart, Albert Avella and Braxton Hicks. Not pictured is head coach Kaitlyn Carringer-Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Strength in numbers

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 1, 2022
* Robbinsville cross country season preview Robbinsville – Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been a challenge to spark interest in varsity cross country.
Aubrie Wachacha (left) breaks to hammer the set from Desta Trammell during Tuesday’s home match against Highlands. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Aubrie Wachacha (left) breaks to hammer the set from Desta Trammell during Tuesday’s home match against Highlands. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Fine tuning

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Robbinsville – Make no mistake about it: the Lady Knights are getting a good mixture of opposition from the early portion of their schedule. Wedged between sweeps of Little Smoky Mountain Conference programs Nantahala (0-2) on Aug.
Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell, Suri Watty and Delaney Brooms (from left) celebrate after a kill during Tuesday’s home opener against Asheville Christian Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Kensley Phillips, Claire Barlow, Desta Trammell, Suri Watty and Delaney Brooms (from left) celebrate after a kill during Tuesday’s home opener against Asheville Christian Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights split bill to begin season

Kevin Hensley
Friday, August 19, 2022
Robbinsville — In a span of two days, the Lady Knights were able to feel both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Rising Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler recently finished a 5-week, multi-state trek with her travel softball program, the 16U Carolina Cardinals. Shuler opened a lot of eyes along the way, as she continues to eye taking her talents to the collegiate level.

Rising Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler recently finished a 5-week, multi-state trek with her travel softball program, the 16U Carolina Cardinals. Shuler opened a lot of eyes along the way, as she continues to eye taking her talents to the collegiate level.

Summer of Zoie

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Robbinsville – Most high-school athletes spend the summer enjoying the break from the grind of the often grueling year-round schedule. Zoie Shuler never considered pressing the brake pedal. A rising junior, Shuler has already made waves during her first two years at the varsity level.
The 2022 Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team. All names are listed from left. Front row: Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell, Tai Owle, Fala Welch and Abbi Sawyer. Back row: manager Eden Orr, Delaney Brooms, Claire Barlow, Aubrie Wachacha, Liz Carpenter and head coach Kadey Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2022 Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team. All names are listed from left. Front row: Kensley Phillips, Desta Trammell, Tai Owle, Fala Welch and Abbi Sawyer. Back row: manager Eden Orr, Delaney Brooms, Claire Barlow, Aubrie Wachacha, Liz Carpenter and head coach Kadey Phillips. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Back to the basics

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 11, 2022
* Robbinsville volleyball season preview Robbinsville – Losing six seniors presents a daunting task.
Memory Frapp – shown in action at Hiwassee Dam on May 2 – was recently named the 2022 Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Memory Frapp – shown in action at Hiwassee Dam on May 2 – was recently named the 2022 Smoky Mountain Conference Pitcher of the Year. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

6 Lady Knights named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
With the conclusion of the 2022 spring sports season in the rearview mirror, the All-Smoky Mountain Conference baseball and softball awards were recently announced. The Robbinsville Lady Knights cleaned up, by virtue of their fifth-straight divisional title.
The 2021-22 Robbinsville High School wrestling coach staff was recently named the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Boys Assistant Staff of the Year for North Carolina. From left are Colby White, D.J. Robinson, Weston Haney, Josh Winfrey, head coach Todd Odom, James Keifer, Travis Hooper, Billy Knight, Irvin Portugal, Wren Millsaps and Josiah Phillips. Not pictured are Jason Tom Sawyer, Brandon Lee and Carter Williamson. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

The 2021-22 Robbinsville High School wrestling coach staff was recently named the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Boys Assistant Staff of the Year for North Carolina. From left are Colby White, D.J. Robinson, Weston Haney, Josh Winfrey, head coach Todd Odom, James Keifer, Travis Hooper, Billy Knight, Irvin Portugal, Wren Millsaps and Josiah Phillips. Not pictured are Jason Tom Sawyer, Brandon Lee and Carter Williamson. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

The Dirty (Baker’s) Dozen

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Manheim, Pa. – It’s hard to argue the logic. The Robbinsville Black Knights’ coaching staff has been named the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Boys Assistant Staff of the Year for North Carolina.