By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–If Union City is to journey to the state volleyball tournament in Murfreesboro, it must take a detour through Middleton.
The Lady Tornadoes will play on the road at Middleton in a Class 1A West Sectional on Thursday after losing to host Gibson County 3-0 in the Region 7 Tournament championship match on Tuesday.
Middleton – the District 15 title winner – added the Region 8 championship to its portfolio on Tuesday, beating Memphis Middle College.
Thursday’s do-or-die match will begin at 6 p.m., with the winner qualifying for the eight-team Class A field that will convene on the campus of Blackman High School in Murfreesboro next Tuesday. First-round pairings for the double-elimination event will be announced on Friday.
UC (17-6) will play on the road for the third time in four days in Thursday’s sectional after losing to GC (32-7) for the fourth time in as many meetings Tuesday.
The Lady Pioneers dominated from start to finish, winning 25-14, 25-11, and 25-18.
“We fell behind immediately, and never recovered,” Union City head coach Jessica Graham said following the match. “We don’t have any experience at this level with this particular team, and I don’t believe the girls understood how much higher the intensity level would need to be.
“We kept looking around for leadership and never found any. And it’s tough when you’re still looking for leadership in the postseason.”
The contest was originally scheduled to be played in Memphis but was moved to GCHS just after noon Tuesday at the request of the two teams who voiced opposition over making a second consecutive 2 ½-hour trip to Crosstown High School. TSSAA officials intervened to change the venue.
And the mistake-prone Lady Tornadoes – who were guilty of 51 charged errors in the match – never found the rhythm nor displayed the intensity they’d showcased in advancing to Tuesday’s level.
Gibson County used a 10-2 run to build a 15-5 lead and cruise in Game 1, then ran off eight straight points to build a commanding Game 2 advantage on the way to another double-digit win.
UC did put up a better fight in the final set – leading three times by a single point – before the Lady Pioneers spurted again and pulled away.
Madie Theobald had all 11 of the Twisters’ assists in the contest. Addison Carr recorded eight saves and five digs, and Clare Atwill and Brianna McBride had nine digs apiece. Gracelyn Sims was credited with half of Union City’s 12 kills, and Crickett Washburn had a half-dozen digs.
Ca’Lae Ervin and Allysia Davis were named to the all-tournament team in postgame ceremonies.
“We have to flush this one quickly, and immediately turn our attention to Middleton,” Graham added. “There’ll be a few things I will specifically point out from tonight in practice on Wednesday, but we mainly have to eliminate all the unforced errors we made tonight.”
HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
UC boys 3rd at Dyer Co., Two Lady Tornadoes medal
The Union City boys’ team placed third among 20 schools in the Dyer County Invitational Tuesday.
Woodrow McKinnis (16:14) paced the Tornado squad with a third-place individual showing among a field of 122 runners in the 5K race. Rushdon Howell (18:15) came in 13th, and newcomer Brayden Chism (18:26) gave UC a third medalist with a 16th-place finish.
Andrew Beard (19:35) was 30th, and Wrigley Harder (22:23, 59th) rounded out the Purple and Gold contingent.
Ainsley Sadler and Ainsley Beard each medaled for the Union City girls.
Sadler placed ninth with a time of 22:03, while Beard ran the course in 22:40 – good for a 13th-place finish.
There were 78 girls in the field.
Union City will compete at Westview next Tuesday.