LadyKnights

Back on track

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Highlands – At long last, Robbinsville volleyball is returning home. Rescheduled matches led to the Lady Knights (11-2, 3-1) tolling away at a 5-match road trip, which pushed the team to its very limits.
Robbinsville sophomore Zoie Shuler looks to slam the ball past Swain County’s Gracie Sutton on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville sophomore Zoie Shuler looks to slam the ball past Swain County’s Gracie Sutton on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights back in win column; sweep Devils

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Bryson City – As make-ups continue to force Robbinsville into an unusual schedule, the Lady Knights ran into their first speed bumps of the season last week.
Lady Knights softball alumni Gabby Hooper, Mikayla Morgan, Maggie Knight and Abigail Knight (from left) have each continued their careers at the collegiate level.

Lady Knights softball alumni Gabby Hooper, Mikayla Morgan, Maggie Knight and Abigail Knight (from left) have each continued their careers at the collegiate level.

Still swinging the bat

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 16, 2021
A fearsome crop of former Robbinsville softball talents are each preparing to suit up at the collegiate level.
A pair of Franklin defenders await Ally Ayers’ push in the season opener against the Lady Panthers on Aug. 16. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

A pair of Franklin defenders await Ally Ayers’ push in the season opener against the Lady Panthers on Aug. 16. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville improves to 7-0, sweep Jackets

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Robbinsville – Even two-plus weeks off could not deter the Lady Knights’ momentum. Robbinsville (7-0, 1-0 moved into the No.
With Kensley Phillips (4) and Delaney Brooms (1) looking on, Robbinsville’s senior libero Halee Anderson digs the ball out on back-row defense during the Aug. 23 home match against Smoky Mountain. Before sports were paused district-wide until Sept. 13, the Lady Knights compiled a 6-0 record in non-conference play. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

With Kensley Phillips (4) and Delaney Brooms (1) looking on, Robbinsville’s senior libero Halee Anderson digs the ball out on back-row defense during the Aug. 23 home match against Smoky Mountain. Before sports were paused district-wide until Sept. 13, the Lady Knights compiled a 6-0 record in non-conference play. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville enters pause with unblemished record

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Asheville – Though sports across Graham County have been paused until Sept. 13, there are plenty of positives to find in Robbinsville’s volleyball program.
Robbinsville sophomore Delaney Brooms sends a shot screaming past a Highlands defender on Tuesday night. Through her first four games, Brooms has 48 kills. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville sophomore Delaney Brooms sends a shot screaming past a Highlands defender on Tuesday night. Through her first four games, Brooms has 48 kills. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lining ‘em up; setting ‘em down

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 26, 2021
One-by-one, the Robbinsville Lady Knights have mowed down each opponent faced this season.
Pictured are the 2021 Robbinsville High School cross-country teams. All names are pictured from left. Seated in front: Liberty Hartley, Delaney Brooms and Greta Whisonant. Second row: Hayden Stewart, William Cable, Xander Wachacha and Jacob Satterfield. Standing in back: Zeb Stewart and Isaiah Brown. Not pictured are Ainslee Munro and Anna Wehr. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Pictured are the 2021 Robbinsville High School cross-country teams. All names are pictured from left. Seated in front: Liberty Hartley, Delaney Brooms and Greta Whisonant. Second row: Hayden Stewart, William Cable, Xander Wachacha and Jacob Satterfield. Standing in back: Zeb Stewart and Isaiah Brown. Not pictured are Ainslee Munro and Anna Wehr. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ready for run at regionals, state

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Robbinsville – Years of building a boys program are nearing a significant payoff. The Robbinsville Black Knights return several well-conditioned and disciplined runners for the 2021 cross-country season, a mere seven months after the delayed 2020 slate ended with a 1A Western Regional appearance.
Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins was named the Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport Award winner at Sunday’s Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville. Receiving the award on Nathan’s behalf was his father, Michael. With Michael is Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Board of Directors members David Cappiello (left) and Ann Brandis. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Nathan Collins was named the Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete – Major Sport Award winner at Sunday’s Mountain Amateur Athletic Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville. Receiving the award on Nathan’s behalf was his father, Michael. With Michael is Mountain Amateur Athletic Club Board of Directors members David Cappiello (left) and Ann Brandis. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Collins named Division II Male Athlete of the Year

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Asheville – Select members of the Robbinsville athletic program left Sunday’s Mountain Athletic Amateur Club WNC Sports Awards Banquet with some extra hardware.
Kelsey Waldroup sends a shot back into Franklin territory during Monday’s season opener against the Lady Panthers. Robbinsville would prevail in a five-set battle. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Kelsey Waldroup sends a shot back into Franklin territory during Monday’s season opener against the Lady Panthers. Robbinsville would prevail in a five-set battle. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights undergo early test

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Robbinsville – In their first outing of the season, the Robbinsville Lady Knights were pushed to their limit. And yet, they prevailed. It took five sets, but Robbinsville (1-0) bested the 3A Franklin Lady Panthers (0-1) to the tune of 14-25, 17-25, 27-25, 25-16, 10-15 on Monday night.
The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Zoie Shuler, Halee Anderson and Kensley Phillips. Back row (from left) are Yeika Jimenez, Aubrie Wachacha, Phoebe Rattler, Ivy Odom and Kylie Farley. Not pictured are Ally Ayers, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle and Kelsey Waldroup. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2021 Robbinsville Lady Knights are (front row, from left): Fala Welch, Zoie Shuler, Halee Anderson and Kensley Phillips. Back row (from left) are Yeika Jimenez, Aubrie Wachacha, Phoebe Rattler, Ivy Odom and Kylie Farley. Not pictured are Ally Ayers, Delaney Brooms, Tai Owle and Kelsey Waldroup. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eye return to prominence

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Robbinsville – Coming off a Smoky Mountain Conference title and the program’s first Elite 8 appearance since the 1980s, the Lady Knights understandably entered the 2020 season with a lot of swagger.