Union’s Jaycee Davis (right) sends the ball past the block of Bradford’s Ajiyah Jackson in the Tigers’ 3-0 win. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Union County High School’s volleyball team, which is ranked ninth in Class 1A, defeated Class 3A Bradford 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-12) in Starke on Sept. 19 to improve to 10-4.
Emily Wilson had a kill during a four-point span with Jaycee Davis serving as the Tigers built an 11-4 lead in the first set. Davis had two kills and a service ace late in the set to help put Union up 23-15. The Tigers’ winning point came on an illegal-alignment call against Bradford.
The Tornadoes, who’ve won only one match this season, scored three straight points with Rylie Blankenship serving to take a 7-2 lead in the second set. Brooklynn Reddish had a kill, while Regan Harris had two. Union rallied and took its first lead behind two service points by Jordan Hendricks. One of those points was an ace as the Tigers went up 15-14.
Davis had two aces as the Tigers increased their lead to 20-15.
An Arnayshia Griffin tip during a three-point stretch with Reddish serving helped the Tornadoes pull to within 20-19. Griffin later had a block to force side-out and give Bradford’s Kiersten Hodges the serve with the Tornadoes trailing 23-21. Bradford scored one point before a Davis kill forced side-out. Union’s winning point came on a passing error.
Griffin, Harris and Ajiyah Jackson had kills in the early stages of the third set to help Bradford stay close, but the Tigers scored 11 points with Kamryn Southerland serving to go up 20-6. Wilson had two kills during the run, while Rylie Parrish had one.
Davis recorded the match-winning point on a kill.
Official Union stats weren’t available by deadline.
Requests for Bradford stats have been unsuccessful.
The Tigers host Class Keystone Heights Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m. and will play in a tournament at Suwannee High School on Saturday, Sept. 24. Union travels to play Bell on Monday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. and returns home to play Branford on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.
Bradford hosts P.K. Yonge and Interlachen on Thursday, Sept. 22, with play beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Tornadoes travel to play Keystone on Monday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. and travel to play Palatka on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m.
Emily Wilson on the attack for Union. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Union’s Jailyn Simmons (right) tries to spike the ball past Bradford’s Arnayshia Griffin. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Arnayshia Griffin (far left) sends the ball over the net for Bradford. Photo by Cliff Smelley.The Tornadoes’ Takeirra Bakken tries to keep a spike by Union’s Jaycee Davis in play. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Union’s Jordan Hendricks prepares to set the ball for a teammate. Photo by Cliff Smelley.The Tigers’ Jurney Crim (right) makes a pass. Jaycee Davis is also pictured. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Bradford’s Rylie Blankenship (left) receives a serve as Ayanna Pringle looks on. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Union’s Jaycee Davis goes up for a kill attempt. Photo by Cliff Smelley.The Tigers’ Jailyn Simmons (right) prepares for an attack opportunity off a Jordan Hendricks set. Photo by Cliff Smelley.The Tornadoes’ Arnayshia Griffin sends the ball over the net. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Union’s Emily Wilson makes a pass as Head Coach Tiffani Knox looks on. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Takeirra Bakken gets low to make a save for Bradford. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Rylie Parrish spikes the ball for the Tigers. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Ashley Brady receives a serve for the Tornadoes. Photo by Cliff Smelley.The Tigers’ Layla Barber goes up for an attack. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Bradford’s Kirsten Hodges receives a serve. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Brooklynn Reddish keeps a ball in play for Bradford. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Union’s Jaycee Davis gets low for a dig as Jurney Crim looks on. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Bradford’s Kencie Wainwright (left) receives a serve as Takeirra Bakken looks on. Photo by Cliff Smelley.The Tigers’ Emily Wilson (left) and Jurney Crim prepare to play a serve. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Bradford’s Ajiyah Jackson (left) goes up for an attack. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Jordan Hendricks makes a play for the Tigers. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Takeirra Bakken makes a pass for the Tornadoes. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Union’s Jaycee Davis spikes the ball over the net. Photo by Cliff Smelley.Bradford’s Rylie Blankenship settles under the ball. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
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