By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City volleyball avenged an earlier loss to Gibson County, beating the Lady Pioneers 3-2 in a thrilling five-game match Monday evening at Dyer.
The Tornadoes won the deciding game 15-8 to improve to 6-2 in District 13A and bounce back from a four-set loss at home to GC on Aug. 19.
Anna Cheatham had 17 kills, seven service aces, five saves and four digs to fill up the winning stat sheet. Emma Powell finished with 13 assists and seven saves, and Raegan Taylor handed out nine assists and came up with eight saves for UC, which is now 6-4 overall heading into today’s road match at always-tough Halls.
Kaigan Davis contributed eight kills, six service winners and five digs to Monday’s winning cause. Sara Ullrich had had five digs and helped close out the match with seven aces.
“The girls fought their way through a tough five-setter and stayed in the game despite a few technical things that were out of our control,” Lady Tornado head coach Jessica Graham said. “When we took the lead in the fifth set, our goal was to keep it and to finish strong and we did just that.
“Sara Ullrich did a fantastic job serving us out in the fifth set to end the last game.”
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Union City beat Greenfield and Gleason in girls’ play and topped G’field on the boys’ side in a match in Sharon Monday that included golfers from Dresden and Bradford.
Mimi Jenkins shot a field-best 49, and both Molly Kizer and Alli Kate Frilling had 50s to give the Lady Tornadoes a winning team total of 99. Olivia Tanner came in with a 56.
UC held a 26-stroke advantage over Greenfield in the boys’ competition (175-201).
Nolan Chandler’s 40 topped the Twisters’ scorecard, while Landon Hauhe registered a 42. Cameron Thompson shot 46, Reese Paschall a 47 and Carter Watts 50 for the Purple and Gold.
Greenfield’s Luke Stephenson was the match medalist with a 39.
Union City will play South Fulton today at the Fulton County Club.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Medina 9-14, UC 0-2
The Lady Tornadoes were hurt by four errors in each game while dropping a twinbill to visiting Medina.
UC is now 9-5 heading into today’s 5 p.m. home game against Martin.
Clare Atwill had two of Union City four hits in Game 1, including a double. Mattie Smith and Emma Mobbs both singled for the Lady Twisters.
Addison Carr struck out six but was charged with the pitching loss.
A seven-run Medina first-inning was UC’s undoing in the nightcap.
Madie Theobald had two singles and drove in a run for the Tornadoes and Jenna Kate Cross accounted for Union City’s other RBI. Addison Carr singled and scored, and Skylar Brundige scored UC’s second run.
Smith took the pitching loss.