By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Seven and counting.
Union City volleyball continued its winning ways on Tuesday, avenging an earlier loss to South Fulton with a 3-0 shutout of the Lady Red Devils at Marty Sisco Gymnasium.
The win – UC’s seventh in a row – locked up the No. 3 seed for the Tornado girls in next week’s District 13A Tournament. The Lady Twisters (13-4) will first face sixth-seeded Lake County in a quarterfinal match, the winner to then play No. 2 seed Milan in the semis with a berth in the regionals at stake.
An inspired Union City squad took immediate control of Tuesday’s rematch with SF.
The Lady Tornadoes never trailed in winning Game 1, 25-14, then completed the sweep with triumphs of 25-19 and 25-17.
Gracelyn Sims pounded down 19 kills for UC. Madie Theobald piled up 22 assists and had eight saves, and Addison Carr had a team-high eight service aces, seven digs, and five assists.
Clare Atwill was credited with a dozen digs, Ca’Lae Ervin smashed nine kills, and Brianna McBride had six digs, five aces, and three saves for the victors.
“We still have some things to work on before next week, but I’m excited about the direction we’re headed in going into the postseason next week,” head coach Jessica Graham claimed. “Gracie Sims had a big night, and Madie (Theobald) continues to excel in her new role. And I thought Brianna (McBride) gave us another consistent all-around effort.”
Union City will close out its regular season with a Thursday night home match against Carlisle County, the varsity competition scheduled to begin around 7 p.m.
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
4 UC runners bring home medals
Union City’s top runners in both boys’ and girls’ earned places among medal winners in the annual Best of the West meet at Obion County Central Tuesday.
Sophomore Woodrow McKinnis came in fourth among 194 boys, and teammate Rushdon Howell was 13th. McKinnis was timed at 18:09 in the 3.1-mile race, while Howell was clocked at 19:15.
Freshmen Ainsley Sadler and Ainsley Beard were 11th and 20th, respectively, for the Lady Tornadoes. Sadler finished at 23:50, and Beard came in at 24:57 in a field of 124 runners.
There were 25 schools represented at the event.
Union City’s next meet is on Oct. 8 at Hardin County.