Union City proved it indeed belonged among the elite in the Class 1A state volleyball tournament with one final feat in the program’s most memorable season.
School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said the Lady Tornadoes won a game in state tourney play for the first time ever Wednesday evening despite a 3-1 loss to Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences at Blackman High School.
Brianna McBride’s service winner enabled a 25-23 victory in the third set, somewhat dulling the pain from a season-ending loss and proving the Purple and Gold was a deserving entry in just the third trip for the program to the highest level.
CSAS won Games 1, 2, and 4 by scores of 25-18, 25-14, and 25-8.
“This was definitely something the girls needed to do for themselves and the program,” a reflective UC head coach, Jessica Graham, said after the match. “They were not satisfied with just being here and getting a participation trophy. They showed we could come here and be competitive with the other really good teams in the state.
“I truly believe it was a case of being able to learn how to walk before you run. It’s the natural progression of steps toward establishing a legitimate program that can compete against the best. We still have a ton of work to do – individually and collectively – to make this the standard, but finally breaking through shows we are capable and that things can be a lot different from what they have been.”
Wednesday’s breakthrough feat put an exclamation point on an unforgettable season that also saw the Lady Tornadoes post a program record for most wins in a year (18), piece together a 10-match winning streak for the first time and establish a new high-water mark (.692) for winning percentage in a season.
Union City also far-exceeded its two-match point totals in state tournament play, scoring 118 against South Greene and CSAS. The Twisters tallied 56 points against two opponents in 2017 and 79 in 2020.
“There’s been so many ‘firsts’ in a season, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them all,” Graham smiled. “When I took over the program again, it was apparent our girls had some individual volleyball knowledge. I think they’ve learned a great deal about coming together and being a team this year.
“I was most pleased that we began to show resiliency as far as responding to adversity and rallying from behind. The good teams are able to do that. When I get the chance to really think back on all the things the girls accomplished, gaining confidence in themselves, showing grit when things were tough, and believing they could do some things that had never been done will stand out the most.”
Junior Madie Theobald, who’ll headline a list of returnees next season along with Addison Carr, Gracie Sims, Ca’Lae Ervin, and Clare Atwill, added to her list of standout performances Wednesday.
Theobald had 21 assists and 13 saves – both totals team highs. Carr had seven digs and seven saves, and Ervin was credited with seven kills and six saves. A hustling Atwill was good for 13 digs.
McBride – one of three seniors on the squad – closed her playing career with a strong effort that included a club-best nine kills, seven digs, and three saves. Crickett Washburn tallied six digs.
The contest was also the last for seniors Mary Kate Sinclair and Allysia Davis.
“It’s critical now that we build on this and not be satisfied,” Graham concluded. “We’ll have individual exit meetings in the next couple of weeks to talk about what we did well and what we need to improve on in the off-season.
“Our expectations will change now. And that’s a good thing.”
