By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Union City opened the home portion of its 2024 volleyball season with a third straight victory Monday, beating Ripley 3-1 at Marty Sisco Gymnasium.
The Lady Tornadoes’ 3-0 beginning matches the best start to a year in the 13-season history of the program. The only other time UC opened the year with three consecutive wins was in 2018.
Monday’s triumph vs. Ripley marked the first time since 2020 that the Twister girls had beaten the Lady Tigers.
After the teams split the two opening games Monday – Union City winning 25-13 and Ripley claiming a 25-18 verdict – the Lady Tornadoes triumphed 25-16 and 25-13 to close out the match.
“Our confidence is building,” UC head coach Jessica Graham said afterward. “We’re taking things one match at a time, and I’m very proud of how our girls played tonight.
“Ca’Lae Ervin was a leader and had an excellent all-around effort. Our middles, Allysia (Davis) and Gracelyn (Sims) had some big hits and blocks, and I was also very pleased with Crickett Washburn, who came in and gave us some important points when we needed her.”
Ervin had seven kills, four saves, and three service aces. Davis finished with four blocks and three kills, and Sims recorded 11 kills and accounted for four aces.
Union City also got solid contributions from Addison Carr (16 assists, seven saves), Brianna McBride (nine digs, seven aces), and Clare Atwill (10 digs).
Washburn had a big performance in the Lady Twisters’ 2-0 jayvee win, recording 16 aces.
UC will host Lake County today, with the varsity match scheduled to begin around 6 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Union City’s boys got the best of host Obion Central and Bradford, while the Tornado girls beat Fulton County on a steamy afternoon at Wynridge Greens in Troy.
Alli Kate Frilling claimed medalist honors for the UC girls, shooting a 45 to help her team (106) to a 12-stroke victory over FC. Carley Frilling and Chloe Norton each finished with a 61.
Gavin McGuire and Brody Riley tied for medalist honors for the Tornadoes, each carding a 37 for a winning unit (152) that was 35 shots better than Central. Bradford finished with a 201.
Copeland Chism shot 39, and Finn Frankum came in with a 44 for UC.
Tornado golfers are set to visit Dyersburg this afternoon.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Brody Fields placed third overall to lead a trio of Union City runners to medal on their way to a second-place team finish in a 20-school field.
Fields finished the 1.5-mile course with a time of 8:42. Jake Lattus (9:10) came in 14th among 141 runners, and Cooper Waggoner logged a 19th-place finish with a time of 9:29.
Nash Norsworthy (9:45), Will D. McKinnis (10:12), Camden Watts (10:35), and Walton Harder (11:47) rounded out the UC boys’ finishes.
Hadlee Duncan (10:53) crossed the finish line at No. 11, and teammate Chloe Baumgardner (11:07) joined her on the medal stand at 15th for the Lady Tornadoes.
There were 108 participants in the girls’ race.
UCMS will compete at Martin on Thursday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Trenton 11, UC 10
After storming back from a 6-0 deficit and taking a two-run lead in extra innings, Union City saw host Trenton tally three times in the bottom of the seventh to edge the Twisters.
UC (2-6) made the most of four hits, capitalizing on 12 walks and five Trenton errors for most of its offense.
Averi Riley singled and had two RBIs, while Amanda McPhearson doubled and scored twice. Caylee Lutrell crossed the plate two times, and Charlie Belle Cruce drew three walks.
Ella Grace Howell reached base three times with two walks and a hit and scored twice.
Union City will visit Hillcrest today at 5 o’clock.