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Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Zaelyn Phillips spikes the ball past the defense of Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby (3) and Joscelyn Stamper (13) during Tuesday’s league-tournament semifinal. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights fall in tournament semifinals

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Hayesville – Even though Tuesday's semifinal pairing against the regular-season champions ended in defeat, the Lady Knights turned a lot of heads. Entering the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament as the No. 4 seed, Robbinsville (12-11) mowed over Andrews (No.
Emory Chekelelee (20) attempts to spike the ball past Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Emory Chekelelee (20) attempts to spike the ball past Cherokee’s Austin Fourkiller-Raby on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights vying for 4th place

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Robbinsville – After playing both the regular-season champions and the second-place team in the standings during the same week, the Lady Knights hope to wrap up fourth in the division today.
Prior to Tuesday's varsity match against Swain County, Robbinsville High School volleyball recognized its lone senior: Ryn Hooper. With Hooper is assistant coach Kensley Hamilton (left) and head coach Kadey Jones. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday's varsity match against Swain County, Robbinsville High School volleyball recognized its lone senior: Ryn Hooper. With Hooper is assistant coach Kensley Hamilton (left) and head coach Kadey Jones. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights drop conference matches

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Jayden Chekelelee sets the ball during Sept. 25’s JV match at Murphy. Robbinsville – As teams in the Smoky Mountain Conference jockey for a playoff spot, the Lady Knights recently dropped a pair of pivotal matches in the race. A visit to Murphy on Sept.
Kynadee Spencer saves the ball from dropping on the outside during Tuesday’s home match against Andrews. Poised to get things back on-track for Robbinsville are Izabel Haney (10), Ryn Hooper (8) and Chloe Adams (12). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Kynadee Spencer saves the ball from dropping on the outside during Tuesday’s home match against Andrews. Poised to get things back on-track for Robbinsville are Izabel Haney (10), Ryn Hooper (8) and Chloe Adams (12). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights on winning streak

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Robbinsville – Opponents are having a difficult time solving the riddle that is Lady Knights volleyball at the moment.
Zaelyn Phillips swats the ball over a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday's four-set victory over the Lady Tigers. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Zaelyn Phillips swats the ball over a pair of Rosman defenders during Tuesday's four-set victory over the Lady Tigers. Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights snap 5-match losing streak

Kevin Hensley
Friday, September 19, 2025
Robbinsville – Following a tough slate, the Lady Knights reaped all the benefits of returning back home Tuesday.
Ella McGuire leaps for a kill attempt Sept. 4 at Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Ella McGuire leaps for a kill attempt Sept. 4 at Swain County. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights hampered by 3-match skid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Robbinsville – Tough opposition has given the Lady Knights fits over the past week. A visit to Swain County on Sept.
Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team and fanbase erupt in celebration after a big point was scored during Aug. 28's five-set victory at Andrews. Players visibly celebrating on the floor are Chloe Adams (10), Ella McGuire (7), Daphne Barlow (3) and Izabel Haney (10). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Members of the Robbinsville Lady Knights volleyball team and fanbase erupt in celebration after a big point was scored during Aug. 28's five-set victory at Andrews. Players visibly celebrating on the floor are Chloe Adams (10), Ella McGuire (7), Daphne Barlow (3) and Izabel Haney (10). Photo by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Lady Knights down Cherokee County foes

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Andrews – It took five sets, but the Robbinsville Lady Knights prevailed in its lone Smoky Mountain Conference match of the week Aug. 28.
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

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

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

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.