By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Big wins in prep volleyball and middle school softball made for a nice Thursday for Union City fall sports teams.
The Lady Tornado volleyball squad posted its most significant victory of the young season, sweeping Peabody 25-21, 26-24, and 26-24 in a hotly-contest match at Marty Sisco Gymnasium.
The UCMS softballers, meanwhile, went on the road and routed Gibson County 17-2 to improve to 5-2.
Details from those contests as well as those from golf and middle school softball are as follows:
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Peabody 0
The Lady Tornadoes continue to trend in a positive direction, building off a solid showing at Triple-A Henry County Tuesday night.
Thursday’s league triumph over Peabody improved Union City’s District 13A mark to 3-1 and was highlighted by a Game 2 rally that saw the Twisters storm back from an 18-11 deficit to eventually win 26-24.
Head coach Jessica Graham was both pleased and proud.
“We did exactly what I’d hoped we’d do and what we needed to do after showing some good signs at Henry County,” she said. “Tonight, they proved to themselves that they could dig themselves out of a hole and fight back.
“Anna Cheatham had a fantastic game and has proven to be a game-changer while being able to see the court and make plays happen. Sara Ullrich and Raegan Taylor made some big plays as well, turning the games around. These eight (varsity) girls are really coming together.”
Taylor did a little bit of everything for UC, finishing with seven assists, five digs, five aces, and five saves.
Cheatham notched 10 kills and Emma Powell finished with seven assists and four saves. Kaigan Davis added six kills and three digs.
Union City will play at Westview on Monday before hosting South Fulton next Thursday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL
UC 17, GC 1
The Lady Tornadoes erupted for eight runs in both the second and third innings in a runaway victory.
Mattie Smith had another big game with two doubles, two singles, and four RBI to pace the Union City offense. Smith was also the winning pitcher, giving up just one hit while striking out six.
Addison Carr went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, Sarah Beth Byars knocked in three runs and scored twice, and Jenna Kate Cross had two singles and two ribbies. Allie Vincent also drove home a pair of tallies, while Emma Mobbs and Skylar Brundige scored twice.
Union City will host Milan Monday.
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF
Tornadoes compete at Milan
The UC boys were fourth in a late-scheduled four-team match at Milan, while the Tornado girls came in third in a field of three.
Union City shot 198 on the boys’ side. Landon Hauhe posted the Twisters’ best score with a 47. Nolan Chandler finished with a 48, Reese Paschall shot 51, and Cameron Thompson came in with a 52.
South Gibson won the competition with a 160 score.
UC’s 112 in girls’ play trailed Milan (87) and South Gibson (93).
Molly Kizer carded a 55, and Olivia Tanner shot 57 for the Purple and Gold.
Union City will host Gibson County Monday, then is scheduled to play South Fulton at the Fulton Country Club on Tuesday.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Dyersburg 32, UC 0
The Tornadoes truly had a long night at Dyersburg with the contest not beginning until nearly two hours after its original start time due to a scheduling conflict with the host team.
The two teams then were forced to wait out a 30-minute lightning delay after the game began.
Turnovers and mistakes proved to be UC’s undoing in the contest itself.
The Twisters trailed 8-0 after one quarter and 20-0 at the half.
Union City (1-1) will play its first home game next Thursday, hosting Huntingdon.