STATE VOLLEYBALL: TCA wins easily in opener over Grace

MURFREESBORO -- The Trinity Christian Academy volleyball team has been considered one of the best in the state in Class A all season.

Wednesday morning, the Lady Lions showed exactly why.

TCA opened the Class A state tournament with a straight set – 25-13, 25-17, 25-13 – win over Knoxville Grace at Blackman.

The Lady Lions (40-5) advance to play Boyd Buchanan at 3:30 p.m. in a winners' bracket match. Knoxville Grace (16-24) will play Loretto at 6:30 p.m.

The Lady Lions did not play their best offensive game, but it really wasn't needed as the Lady Lions stayed on top throughout the first three sets.

"We made less errors than they did," TCA coach Kelly Elliott said. "They made errors, and we did a good job placing the ball."

TCA kept Knoxville Grace off-balance with its serve, and a stingy defense held the Lady Rams to 12 total kills.

TCA's attack was led by Clare Taylor with 19 kills and Katie Tillman added four kills.

But it was more about the serving and the defense. Defensively, Emily Taylor led the way with four blocks and Clare Taylor had 10 digs.

The serving wasn't about aces -- Clare Taylor, Mikaela Allen and Tillman each had two -- it was more about not allowing Knoxville Grace get in a rhythm with its offense.

In the first set, Clare Taylor had a six-point rally early for the 11-6 lead. Allen then closed out the set with seven service points.

The second set was closer until late. TCA held an 18-14 lead before Anna Claire Winchester served four straight points to put the Lady Lions up 23-14.

TCA put it away in the third set with an early 9-1 lead before holding off a Lady Rams' rally late.

"We have room to get better, but that was a solid first match for us," Elliott said. "We controlled the match."

Michael Odom, 425-9754