SMCVB

Yeika Jimenez (left) stretches to block a tip by Murphy’s Torin Rogers during Oct. 7’s conference match. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Yeika Jimenez (left) stretches to block a tip by Murphy’s Torin Rogers during Oct. 7’s conference match. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights unable to vanquish Murphy

Kevin Hensley
Friday, October 15, 2021
Robbinsville – Things didn’t go according to plan. The Robbinsville Lady Knights (16-3, 7-2) held all the cards entering Oct. 7’s Smoky Mountain Conference home match against Murphy (17-1, 9-0); a chance to erase a road sweep at the hands of the Bulldogs on Sept.
With senior Kelsey Waldroup (2) looking on, Robbinsville sophomore Delaney Brooms fires a shot back to Cherokee during Tuesday’s Pink Game against the Lady Braves. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

With senior Kelsey Waldroup (2) looking on, Robbinsville sophomore Delaney Brooms fires a shot back to Cherokee during Tuesday’s Pink Game against the Lady Braves. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights eye divisional showdown

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Robbinsville – Admittedly, the last time the Lady Knights faced Murphy, Robbinsville was not where it needed to be.

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.
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.