Sullivan East Lady Patriots Aim for Glory in State Volleyball Tournament

BLUFF CITY — The Sullivan East Lady Patriots are poised to continue their impressive run as they head into the state volleyball tournament, beginning on March 15, 2024. After overcoming significant odds, including a fourth-place finish in their conference, the team showcased their resilience by winning the district tournament. They defeated Unicoi County, Grainger, and Chuckey-Doak, ultimately claiming the region championship. Their recent victory against Alcoa secured their spot in the upcoming state tournament.

Head coach Brittany Scott James expressed her team’s confidence following their recent successes. “It doesn’t matter if we win every game at the beginning of the year then lose the first game of the district tournament,” she stated during a sendoff event. “Having that momentum to take us into the state tournament gives us confidence knowing we can do this.” James highlighted the quality of competition they will face, noting, “Every team we’re going to face in the tournament is a good team. You don’t make it unless you’re good. And we made it. That shows how good we are.”

As one of the younger teams in the tournament, with seven freshmen on the varsity roster, the Lady Patriots have relied on standout performances from their players. Freshman Makayla Moore has emerged as a key player, earning the title of Hitter of the Year in the regular season and being named the District 1-AA Tournament MVP. In their sectional matchup against Alcoa, Moore delivered an impressive performance with 11 kills and five digs.

While the freshmen have stepped up, James attributes much of the team’s success to the leadership of her two seniors, Lily Mowrer and Sophie Johnson. “If it wasn’t for the two seniors, we wouldn’t be where we are at,” she remarked. “They really help us keep our heads focused. Let’s say the other team goes on a run, we never freak out because we have those seniors on the court.”

Facing Crockett County

The Lady Patriots will face Crockett County (33-9) in their opening match of the state tournament on Tuesday at 13:00. The Cavaliers secured their spot by finishing as the runner-up in both the district and region tournaments, losing to Dyer County in those matches. They advanced to Murfreesboro following a decisive victory against Covington.

James has conducted thorough preparations for the match, having reviewed game footage of their opponents. “Like I’ve said, everybody in the state tournament is good, but so are we,” she stated. “We made a few adjustments to our defense after watching film that could help us when we play against them. But I’m very confident in us going against any team right now.”

This will mark the seventh appearance in the state tournament for the Lady Patriots, with their last participation occurring in 2021, where they finished with one win and two losses. Sullivan East has yet to capture a state championship in volleyball, although they have secured two runner-up finishes in 1999 and 2000.

Focus on Enjoyment and Teamwork

As the team prepares for this significant event, James emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. “I think the biggest thing is having fun and playing together,” she said. “I know in big situations, people can get nervous and start doing too much, almost, in the sense of not playing our game. I think just keep playing our game, having fun. This is payday. We’ve worked all season to get here. We’re just here to have fun, have a good time, and I think if we do that, that will help us win.”

With determination and a strong sense of camaraderie, the Sullivan East Lady Patriots are ready to make their mark in the state volleyball tournament, aiming for a historic victory that could redefine their program’s legacy.