By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Shelby Bondurant and Molly Kizer have added another line to their glowing tennis resume.
The first Union City High School doubles team to play for an individual state championship this past spring, Bondurant and Kizer were officially named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class A All-State team today.
The junior duo, which finished as state runners-up to sisters Gracie and Annalee Kelly of Summertown after losing 6-4, 6-1 in the finals, also earned an automatic spot in the prestigious UCHS Hall of Honors with an induction set following their graduation.
Bondurant and Kizer certainly carved their special place in the tradition-rich annals of Lady Tornado tennis with a magnificent postseason run that saw them claim the district and regional championships while helping the Purple and Gold to its second straight state team runner-up finish, too.
“This program has had some awfully-good doubles teams in the past, but Shelby and Molly set themselves apart from everyone else before them,” Union City head coach Tom Sisco said after learning of the tandem’s all-state selection. “Their level of play was simply off the chart in the postseason, and their commitment to improving in the offseason was the major reason they had so much success.
“They emerged as leaders of our team, too. They were so instrumental in our tournament run. They made adjustments based on the types of teams we played, and that they have another year next year gives us great hope for more success with their continued improvement.”
Bondurant and Kizer did not drop a set in the postseason until the semifinals of the state tourney against Cecily Davis and Grace Compton of Chester County in what was ultimately a three-set victory that propelled them into the championship match.
They won 11 straight games against Macey Bunch and Connleigh Irwin of Meigs County in a 6-3, 6-0 quarterfinal win that represented one of their best runs in the postseason.
In the finals against the Kelly siblings, Bondurant and Kizer led 4-2 in the first set before coming up short.
The UC tandem rolled to the district and regional titles, topping Lady Tornado teammates Dani and Davey Frankum in both championship matches.
“They really kicked it up a notch once tournament play started,” Sisco added of Bondurant’s and Kizer’s play. “They beat some really good teams on the way to the championship match and were extremely focused in every match.”
TSWA ALL-STATE
GIRLS TENNIS
Class A
DOUBLES
Gracie Kelly, Sr.-Annalee Kelly, Fr., Summertown
Molly Kizer, Jr.-Shelby Bondurant, Jr, Union City
SINGLES
Ellison Reynoldson, Camden Central, Sr.
Mitzi Castro, Madison Academic, Sr.
Jasmine Muecke, Kingston, Jr.
Emma Schnitzer, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, So.
Class AA
SINGLES
Riley Cassity, Farragut, Jr.
Ensley Collins, Walker Valley, Jr.
Ellie Zolt, Siegel, So.
Ella De Jesus, Collierville, Sr.
DOUBLES
Josi Reid, Sr.-Leah McBride, Sr., Science Hill
Uma Sood, So.-Helen Smith, Jr., Central Magnet
Division II-A
SINGLES
Allie Faulkner, Christian Academy of Knoxville, So.
Shelby Franklin, Franklin Road Academy, So.
Brilee Davis, University School of Jackson, Jr.
Ava Magness, St. George’s Independent, Fr.
DOUBLES
Zoeya Khan, Sr.-Alessandra Yong, So., Lausanne Collegiate
Zainba Baba, Sr.-Madeline Craig, Jr., University School of Jackson
Division II-AA
SINGLES
Maeve Thornton, Knox Catholic, Sr.
Melanie Woodbury, Hutchison, Jr.
BOYS TENNIS
Class A
SINGLES
Tobias Mandeville, Merrol Hyde, Jr.
Ethan Porterfield, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, Jr.
Olin Johnson, Obion County, So.
Skyler Floodquist, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Jr.
DOUBLES
Graham Mefford, Fr.-Kyrylo Hnatusko, Jr., University School-Johnson City
Nathan Britt, Sr.-Ethan Mullins, Sr., Chester County
Class AA
SINGLES
Ranjay Arul, Collierville, Sr.
Rich LaLance, Siegel, So.
Tucker Monroe, McMinn County, Sr.
Daniel Haddadin, Science Hill, Jr.
DOUBLES
Anjay Arul, Sr.-Carter Amaba, Sr., Collierville
Bayler Cupp, Sr.-John Macon, Sr., William Blount
Division II-A
SINGLES
Dany Hamze, Lausanne Collegiate, Sr.
Jack Veazey, Jackson Christian, Fr.
Kai Lam, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.
Tristan Scallion, University School of Jackson, Jr.
DOUBLES
Preston Miller, Jr.-Jack Wilkerson, Jr., University School of Jackson
Sathvik Nath, So.-Shreyas Nath, Jr., Lausanne Collegiate
Division II-AA
SINGLES
Roberto Ferrer, Memphis University School, Sr.
Hank Tronsdon, Ensworth School, Sr.
Andreas Sillaste, McCallie School, Sr.
Jouzas Cioladis, McCallie School, Jr.
DOUBLES
Martin Grier, Jr.-Daniel Torre, So., Montgomery Bell Academy
Gabe Getz, Jr.-Henry Imorde, So., McCallie School