By Michael Lindsay
The Cookeville high school volleyball program is back in familiar territory as the Lady Cavaliers advanced to the Class 3A sectional round following Tuesday’s Region 4-3A tournament.
The Lady Cavaliers swept Siegel 25-19, 25-16 and 25-14 in Tuesday’s region tournament quarterfinals before falling to Oakland 25-22, 25-23 and 26-24 in the championship game.
“This whole season has gone beyond my expectations,” said first-year Lady Cavalier head coach Staci Wiegand. “Rebuilding our culture was priority #1, and that has taken us much farther than simple Xs and Os. Our kids work hard for each other.”
Ava Farris, Kallie Clark and Millie Callahan were named all-region tournament for their efforts.
Tuesday’s semifinal win qualifies Cookeville for the Class 3A sectionals and a shot at the TSSAA state tournament for the first time since 2020.
“Getting over this (championship) loss is that little bit of adversity that will strengthen us,” said Wiegand. “We’re going to head into Thursday and get ready.”
Cookeville will hit the road to Cleveland Thursday for their Class 3A sectional contest against the Blue Raiders, who won Region 3-3A earlier this week. The winner will advance to next week’s TSSAA Class 3A state tournament in Murfreesboro.
(Photos via Ben Craven/Independent Herald)
