By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
MURFREESBORO – Union City came close to a breakthrough win in the Class A State Volleyball Tournament Tuesday.
The Lady Tornadoes will get another chance on Wednesday.
UC – looking to win its first set in its third trip to the state tourney – led South Greene for the majority of the first game and rallied late in Game 2 before falling 25-23, 25-20, and 25-10 at Blackman High School.
The Twister girls (18-7) will now face CSAS (Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences) in an elimination game Wednesday at 5 p.m. CSAS (20-8) lost to pre-tournament favorite Loretto (49-3) in Tuesday’s nightcap to drop into the loser’s bracket opposite Union City.
Should the Lady Tornadoes win Wednesday evening, they would play the loser of the East Robertson-Sale Creek contest Thursday at 11:30 a.m. A loss would end UC’s season.
The Purple and Gold scored the most points it has ever tallied in a state tourney set in Tuesday’s opener. UC also topped their previous-best mark in the second game despite coming up short again.
Union City’s future existence in the tournament will depend on confidence, so says head coach Jessica Graham.
“That (confidence) is the biggest thing right now,” she said after watching her team build a 14-8 lead vs. SG in Tuesday’s tourney opener. “I thought we were a little shaky before the match, and then when they got on a roll late in the first game, I’m not sure we ever recovered.
“The girls want to be here, and I do think they believe they belong here – which I’m sure of. We just have to kill the mentality of not having confidence no matter what the score is or what situation we’re in. I think being able to play with and against good teams at this level should certainly help that confidence.”
The Lady Tornadoes snagged momentum immediately against a Lady Rebel squad (15-8) that is making its 16th consecutive state tournament appearance and has played in the finals six times.
SG rallied with a 10-2 flurry to take a slim lead, though, and the match was deadlocked five times before the Lady Rebels posted a narrow two-point win.
Union City rallied from 12 down with several hustling points in the second set to get within four late before falling by five.
SG dominated the final game, running off 10 straight at one point.
Addison Carr had eight digs, six saves, and four kills for UC. Madie Theobald was credited with 15 assists, and Brianna McBride tallied nine saves and five digs.
Gracie Sims finished with seven kills, five saves, and three aces, while Ca’Lae Ervin registered five kills and four saves. Claire Atwill finished with a dozen digs.
“There are a few things that I believe we can take from this, but essentially, we’re going to move on from it and get ready for tomorrow,” added Graham, who singled out Carr, Ervin, and Allysia Davis for their effort.
“We’re still in a learning situation on this level, but I have every confidence that we’ll show up tomorrow, shake off any nerves we have, and be ready to compete.”