By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Either Union City or Gordonsville will pick up their first-ever win in the state volleyball tournament on Tuesday.
The two programs have been paired in a first-round Class A matchup at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro after a blind draw by TSSAA officials Friday morning. Match time for the Golden Tornadoes and Lady Tigers is set for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The winner will advance to the Class 1A semifinals at noon on Wednesday against the winner of the Summertown-CSAS (Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences) match. The UC-Gordonsville loser will play the loser of the Summertown-CSAS match in the consolation round on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Gordonsville will be making its first-ever state tourney appearance and will bring a sparkling 24-1 record into the contest vs. UC. The Lady Tigers won the District 8 and Region 4 tournament championships before shutting out Sale Creek 3-0 in Thursday’s sectionals.
Union City’s state tournament trip will be its fourth in the 13-year history of the program. The Tornado girls (24-6), who also made it to state in 2017, 2020, and last year, are 0-6 all-time in matches in the Elite Eight. They did, however, win a set in Murfreesboro last year for the first time ever against CSAS.
UC’s win total to-date already represents a program record and includes District 13 and Region 7 runner-up finishes to Gibson County, which also is in the state tourney field for the second year in a row. In all, five teams that made last year’s 1A field will return this season.
Tickets for the TSSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships, Tuesday through Thursday, if purchased in advance on GoFan are $13 per day. That rate will increase to $15.00 per day if purchased with cash at the gate. On Friday, if purchased in advance on GoFan, tickets will be $15. If purchased at the gate with cash, they will be $20. Everyone age 5 and older must purchase a ticket.
There is no fee for parking.