Sullivan East Volleyball Eyes State Tournament Glory in Murfreesboro

BLUFF CITY — The Sullivan East Lady Patriots have found their rhythm just in time for the state tournament, demonstrating remarkable determination and skill. After a challenging start to the season that saw them finish fourth in their conference, the Lady Patriots surged through the district tournament, defeating Unicoi County in a must-win situation before going on to claim the district and region championships. Their impressive performance culminated in a decisive victory against Alcoa, securing their spot in this week’s state tournament in Murfreesboro.

“Having that momentum to take us into the state tournament gives us confidence knowing we can do this,” said Brittany Scott James, head coach of the Lady Patriots. At a sendoff event on Monday morning, she emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, stating, “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.”

Young Team with Rising Stars

The Lady Patriots, with a record of 22-15, are one of the younger teams in the tournament, featuring seven freshmen on their varsity roster. Among them, Makayla Moore has stood out, earning recognition as the Hitter of the Year during the regular season as well as being named the District 1-AA Tournament MVP. In the sectional match against Alcoa, she delivered an impressive performance with 11 kills and five digs.

James attributes much of the team’s success to her two senior players, Lily Mowrer and Sophie Johnson. “If it wasn’t for the two seniors, we wouldn’t be where we are at,” she remarked. “They help us keep our heads focused, even when the other team goes on a run. Their leadership is vital for our team.”

Facing a Tough Opponent

The Lady Patriots will begin their state tournament journey on March 15, 2024, at 13:00 against Crockett County, who have a record of 33-9. The Cavaliers, runners-up in both their district and region, are coming off a win against Covington, which saw them advance to Murfreesboro. James has been preparing her team by analyzing their upcoming opponents. “I watched some film on them,” she said. “Like I’ve said, everybody in the state tournament is good, but so are we. We made a few adjustments to our defense that could help us when we play against them. But I’m very confident in us going against any team right now.”

This season marks the seventh appearance for the Lady Patriots in the state tournament, with their last participation in 2021, where they finished with a record of 1-2. They have never won a state championship in volleyball but have secured two runner-up finishes in 1999 and 2000. As they aim for a historic victory, James emphasizes a simple yet powerful message: “I think the biggest thing is having fun and playing together.”

She encourages her players to maintain their composure during high-pressure situations, saying, “In big situations, people can get nervous and start doing too much. I think just keep playing our game, having fun. 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.”