SMCVB

Lady Knights sweep Little Smoky foes

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Izabel Haney leaps for a spike during Tuesday's sweep over Highlands. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Summit Charter and Highlands simply had no answer for the Lady Knights in recent volleyball action. A trip to Cashiers on Aug.

Senior libero Suri Watty bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 4-set win over Murphy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville handles Dogs in league opener

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 21, 2025

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.

Outside hitter Chloe Adams delivers a spike between the outstretched defense of Tuscola’s Julia Wells (5) and Ivy Jones (3) during Monday’s season opener. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights sweep season openers

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, August 14, 2025

JV Lady Knight Myah Winfrey leaps for a block attempt Monday at Tuscola. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star Robbinsville – Despite having a short amount of prep time, the high school volleyball season is here.

Volleyball hosting summer matches

Kevin Hensley

Friday, July 11, 2025

Robbinsville – The Lady Knights are opening the doors of the high school gym this month for a program fundraiser. Athletes in grades K-4 can register for practices and matches that will occur every respective Monday and Tuesday throughout the month.

Ryn Hooper had no idea about her big achievement until the semifinals of the conference tournament, when she was recognized for her accomplishment.

Administrative assistant

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Robbinsville junior Ryn Hooper concentrates on a set during the Lady Knights’ second-round playoff match at Polk County on Oct. 24. Hooper surpassed the 1,000-assists mark for her career early last month. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.

Robbinsville’s three volleyball seniors played their final game as a Lady Knight on Oct. 24, in the second round of the state playoffs. Claire Barlow spikes the ball between Polk County’s Sophia Overholt (2) and Morgan Yoder. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights jousted by reigning champs

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Liz Carpenter swats from the back row to keep a volley alive Oct. 24. Olivia Lewis delivers a serve at Polk County. Columbus – The second round of the state playoffs remains a hurdle the Lady Knights have been unable to clear since 2019.

Senior middle hitter Claire Barlow – who led the 1A West in kills (338) before Tuesday’s playoff match – pulls some chicanery to slip the ball past Rosman’s Lilly Orr and Lillie Dodson. Robbinsville advanced to the second round of the postseason after besting its former conference rival in four sets. Photos by Jacquline Gayosso/The Graham Star

Pro tip: never count out the Lady Knights

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Senior Liz Carpenter entered Tuesday's playoff match against Rosman with a team-best 62 aces. Carpenter delivered several flawless serves in the Knights' four-set victory over the Tigers.

Daphne Barlow, Claire Barlow and Ryn Hooper (clockwise, from top left) celebrate after a block Oct. 10 against Cherokee. Photos by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Lady Knights reach tourney semifinals

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Zaelyn Phillips takes flight for a push during Oct. 10’s JV clash against the Lady Braves. Cherokee – At Wednesday’s press deadline, the Lady Knights were still in the hunt for significant bragging rights in the Smoky Mountain Conference.

The Lady Knights prepare to defend the back row Tuesday against Swain County. Pictured are Claire Barlow, Daphne Barlow (5), Ryn Hooper and Liz Carpenter (20). Photo by Cheyanne Geyer/The Graham Star

Knights fighting for postseason spot

Kevin Hensley

Friday, October 11, 2024

Robbinsville – Tuesday was one of the most important matches for Lady Knights volleyball in quite some time. Attempting to stay in the playoff conversation, Robbinsville held its annual “Pink Night” – a fundraiser for the Graham Cancer Support Group – by hosting Swain County.

Robbinsville senior Liz Carpenter (20) looks to tip the ball past Hiwassee Dam’s Olivia McNabb during Monday’s sweep of the Lady Eagles. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Conference struggles continue

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Cherokee – Two matches stand between the Lady Knights and a long-awaited return to the friendly confines of home. Robbinsville has been inundated with road matches this year, including playing the first 5-of-6 Smoky Mountain Conference affairs outside its home gym.