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Luke Lovin was Robbinsville's lone All-Conference selection for the 2026 season. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Luke Lovin was Robbinsville's lone All-Conference selection for the 2026 season. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

All-Conference baseball, softball teams announced

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Robbinsville – With the 2026 baseball and softball seasons now in the rearview mirror, the annual All-Smoky Mountain Conference awards have been announced.
Adorned with the Lady Knights' "Home Run Hat," Robbinsville senior Anna Williams celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the first inning of Friday's state-championship series opener. Williams finished the game with six RBIs. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Adorned with the Lady Knights' "Home Run Hat," Robbinsville senior Anna Williams celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the first inning of Friday's state-championship series opener. Williams finished the game with six RBIs. Photos by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights compete for softball state championship

Kevin Hensley
Friday, May 29, 2026
Durham – The program of the decade has its state championship.It just took the right mixture to create the perfect compound for success.
The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather around the 2026 1A Western Regional championship plaque, minutes after clinching the program's first-ever state-title appearance. Photo courtesy of Sasha Watty/Contributing Photographer

The Robbinsville Lady Knights gather around the 2026 1A Western Regional championship plaque, minutes after clinching the program's first-ever state-title appearance. Photo courtesy of Sasha Watty/Contributing Photographer

No more delaying the inevitable

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Summerfield – For years, Robbinsville softball has been the standard-bearer for consistency and excellence across North Carolina.Yet, something was missing: a state championship.
Suri Watty celebrates after reaching second base in Robbinsville's second-round playoff rout of River Mill Academy on May 8. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Suri Watty celebrates after reaching second base in Robbinsville's second-round playoff rout of River Mill Academy on May 8. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

One for the road

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Robbinsville – If Tuesday's game is any indication, the Lady Knights are well on their way to a state finals appearance.The dynasty of Robbinsville softball has never reached the 1A championship series, but has mowed down postseason opponents in its current quest for a ring.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms returned to the circle for the Lady Knights' playoff opener against River Mill Academy. She combined for 20 strikeouts against both the Lady Jaguars and Tuesday's third-round opposition, Falls Lake Academy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms returned to the circle for the Lady Knights' playoff opener against River Mill Academy. She combined for 20 strikeouts against both the Lady Jaguars and Tuesday's third-round opposition, Falls Lake Academy. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights back in regional series

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Robbinsville – The friendly confines of Judy Nichols Memorial Field played favorably into the Lady Knights' hands during their 2026 postseason openers.After enjoying a first-round bye, Robbinsville (No.
Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Kynadee Spencer winds up to deliver a pitch April 24 against Swain County. Spencer has anchored the Lady Knights' rotation for the last several weeks and picked up her fifth win of the season April 30 against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights clinch No. 1 seed

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Robbinsville – It is only fitting that after such a successful season, the Lady Knights have once again been afforded the No. 1 seed in the 1A Western postseason bracket.
Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights sophomore Daphne Barlow was elated as she sprinted to the dugout after completing the first and second legs of a 6-3 triple play Friday against Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Queens reign again

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Another year, another divisional championship for the Lady Knights.
Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville freshman Ella Nelms (left) has not been content filling out a pitch-count chart over the last two weeks – but it's all the ace of the Lady Knights pitching staff is capable of, after being sidelined with an injury. Nelms is expected to return to action during Friday's season finale against Murphy. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Can't rain on her parade

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Robbinsville – Ella Nelms seemingly had this season by the horns.She started 16 games. She won 16 of them. She surrendered two runs (one unearned) and coughed up just 17 hits while logging 81 innings of work inside the circle. Her ERA is an almost-unfathomable 0.
Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Daphne Barlow stands poised in the batters box during April 9's game against A.C. Reynolds. Barlow drove in Robbinsville's only runs during last week's shocking loss to Enka. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights stunned

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights posted a graphic on their Facebook page shortly after incurring their first loss of the year April 15.The final score of 12-2 was emblazoned across the screen, along with the words, "Remember this one. We will.
With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

With the rest of the Lady Knights waiting to greet her, Dreylee Webster (55) trots into home plate after hitting her first of two home runs April 9 against A.C. Reynolds. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Attaway, Drey!

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Cullowhee – Just a few weeks after Western Carolina University re-named its softball complex after the program's founder, a high school team helped christen the field.The Robbinsville Lady Knights rolled onto campus April 9, playing as the away team in the annual neutral-site clash with the A.C.