SMCMSVB

Success halted

Hayesville – The Lady Knights carried a 17-set win streak into Tuesday’s Smoky Mountain Conference showdown at Hayesville.
Sophomore libero Suri Watty eyes a serve during  Tuesday’s conference-tournament semifinals against Swain County. Watty’s stint at the service line in the third set sparked a 12-3 run for Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Sophomore libero Suri Watty eyes a serve during Tuesday’s conference-tournament semifinals against Swain County. Watty’s stint at the service line in the third set sparked a 12-3 run for Robbinsville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights ousted in tourney semis

Final standings for the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference volleyball season.
Career bragging rights have been surpassed by a pair of seniors within the last week: Delaney Brooms cleared 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills Oct. 5 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Career bragging rights have been surpassed by a pair of seniors within the last week: Delaney Brooms cleared 1,000 digs and 1,000 kills Oct. 5 at Hayesville. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

2 athletes, 3 milestones

Robbinsville – While sprinting through a hectic stretch of action, two Lady Knights seniors cemented their legacy in Robbinsville volleyball history. Delaney Brooms surpassed 1,000 digs and kills in the same match – a 4-set triumph at Hayesville on Oct.
Delaney Brooms rises toward a definitive kill Tuesday against Hayesville. The senior outside hitter was a thorn in the Jackets’ side throughout Robbinsville’s win. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Delaney Brooms rises toward a definitive kill Tuesday against Hayesville. The senior outside hitter was a thorn in the Jackets’ side throughout Robbinsville’s win. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Breaking out the Brooms

Robbinsville – Five of the Lady Knights’ victories this year have came thanks to clean sweeps. Looking up and down the roster, there are many factors you can attribute Robbinsville’s performance out of the gate: * Back-row coverage? Check.
Senior outside hitter Delaney Brooms rises for a spike Monday against Hiwassee Dam. Her kills were too much for the Lady Eagles to handle in the match – especially in the clinching set. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Senior outside hitter Delaney Brooms rises for a spike Monday against Hiwassee Dam. Her kills were too much for the Lady Eagles to handle in the match – especially in the clinching set. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Little Smoky Smackdown

The latest Robbinsville volleyball slate can be simplified as a cliche from another sport: nine up, nine down.
Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell (6) could not contain her excitement after the final point of the Lady Knights’ 4-set victory at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Also soaking up the moment was Tai Owle (14), Kensley Phillips (4), assistant coach Dede Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha (16), Suri Watty (2) and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Desta Trammell (6) could not contain her excitement after the final point of the Lady Knights’ 4-set victory at Smoky Mountain on Monday. Also soaking up the moment was Tai Owle (14), Kensley Phillips (4), assistant coach Dede Brooms, Aubrie Wachacha (16), Suri Watty (2) and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Righting the ship

Sylva – Twice the Robbinsville Lady Knights traveled to Jackson County last week. Twice, they returned home with victories. Coming off a tough sweep at Asheville Christian Academy on Sept.

True grit

Robbinsville – Never, ever count the Lady Knights out. Recent adversities notwithstanding, Robbinsville (No. 2 seed) has found itself paired up with Murphy in the Smoky Mountain Conference tournament finals tonight, following a 28-30, 21-25, 10-15 slugfest with Cherokee (No.
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

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.
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

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.
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

Robbinsville – Even two-plus weeks off could not deter the Lady Knights’ momentum. Robbinsville (7-0, 1-0 moved into the No.