By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Hoping for elusive district volleyball gold, Union City unfortunately had to settle for silver again.
The Lady Tornadoes were denied the 13A championship for the second straight year and fourth time in program history with a 3-0 loss to defending champion Gibson County in Thursday’s finals.
The runner-up finish is not the end of the line for UC (22-5), however, as it will still advance to the Region 7A Tournament next week at GCHS. Pairings and times will be announced later today.
Thursday’s shutout setback – 25-16, 25-17, and 25-17 – was the second loss in three meetings with the Lady Pioneers for the Twister girls this season. A fourth match between the two – each of which made the state tournament last season – is possible if both programs win their first-round semifinal encounters next week.
Union City was guilty of 36 errors in its straight-sets loss on Thursday against a GC squad that played arguably better overall than in the teams’ first two meetings.
“Every loss hurts, but this one really hurt because of what was at stake,” said UC head coach Jessica Graham, who was named Coach of the Year in postgame award ceremonies. “We just struggled to make things happen when we needed them the most.
“We obviously have some things to work on, still, and we’d love another shot at them – because that would mean we’d both win and advance to the regional championship.”
Madie Theobald had 17 assists, 10 saves, and five digs for the Lady Tornadoes. Gracie Sims recorded 10 kills, Addison Carr was credited with seven saves, and Crickett Washburn had a half-dozen kills.
Claire Atwill finished with five saves.
Sims was named the league’s regular season Co-Most Valuable Player, and was joined on the all-district team by mates Theobald, Atwill, and Ca’Lae Ervin. Carr and Washburn were selected to the all-tournament squad, while Atwill, Carr, Theobald, and Washburn earned spots on the All-Academic Team, which is earned by seniors who have a 3.5 or better grade point average.