By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
History repeated itself for the Union City High School volleyball program.
Now, the Lady Tornadoes will attempt to write a new, never-before-read chapter.
UC won at Middleton in the Class 1A Sectionals for the second straight year on Thursday night, edging the Lady Tigers 3-2 to earn a return trip to the state tournament.
The Twister girls, who won a set in the Class A tourney for the first time ever last year, will now look to win a match at the highest level in the program’s fourth all-time appearance next week at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro.
Union City (24-6) will learn of its first-round opponent today when the TSSAA finalizes brackets. The Purple and Gold will play on Tuesday in the quarterfinals at a time to be determined, then will be back in action on Wednesday in either the semifinals or consolation bracket.
Thursday’s effort vs. Middleton certainly wasn’t UC’s best of the season, but the Lady Tornadoes came up big at critical junctures and overcame 71 errors to finally put away the host team 15-9 in a deciding Game 5.
Madie Theobald, Gracie Sims, Ca’Lae Ervin, and Addison Carr all accounted for winners to help seal the victory.
After splitting the first two sets, Union City also mounted a critical comeback to take Game 3 (26-24) and a 2-1 advantage after trailing by four points late. Carr was responsible for four consecutive timely winners before Crickett Washburn recorded a service ace and a winner to cap the comeback.
“I was really proud of our grittiness, and that’s something I’ve felt like we were lacking at times this year,” UC head coach Jessica Graham said afterward. “To have the number of errors we had and still find a way to win when things weren’t always going our way was something good to see and something that the really good teams do.”
The Lady Tornadoes won Game 2, 25-21, after dropping the opener 25-19. Middleton forced a deciding set by claiming Game 4, 25-22, when another UC rally fell short.
Theobald continued to stack excellent performances, setting up teammates with 35 assists and adding four kills and four saves. Sims had 19 kills, while Carr finished with a dozen. Clare Atwill accounted for 10 digs, while Ervin had six kills.
Madison Hillin contributed to the victory with a team-high four aces, while freshman Maddie Steward came off the bench early to provide a nice lift on the back line.
“We had some girls who didn’t play well at times, shake off their mistakes and come up big at the most critical times,” continued Graham, who has now piloted the program to three of its four state tourney trips. “We were able to right the ship when things were rocky and do what we needed to do to survive.
“Now, our focus will shift to not just being satisfied to make it to the state tournament but realizing our potential and making our mark when we’re there. We have the pieces, I believe. With the right mindset, I believe we can do some things that we’ve never done before.”