Healed From Injury, Silverdale's Pierce Signs With Trevecca Nazarene

Diminutive Libero Ready To Take Next Step In Volleyball Career

  • Wednesday, November 9, 2016
  • Larry Fleming

Nathan Daugherty has been the Silverdale Baptist Academy volleyball coach for three years now.

It was just by coincidence that diminutive Gracie Pierce made her return to SBA in Daugherty’s first year guiding the Lady Seahawks program.

“I didn’t have a clue as to who she was,” Daugherty said. “She just showed up at a practice and I didn’t know her from Eve. I was glad she came back because she’s highly competitive and someone I can relate to.”

Now finishing up her senior year at Silverdale, Pierce was enjoying her finest moment as a student-athlete on Wednesday when she signed a national letter-of-intent with Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.

“It has been a long time coming,” Pierce said.

Pierce’s senior year was torture.

In the Lady Seahawks’ first game, Pierce suffered partial tears in her left knee that sidelined her for the rest of the regular season. She returned in time to play in the district tournament and turned in a solid effort despite being away from the court for months.

“I played one of the best games I’ve played, by far,” she said. “With my team carrying me through my injury was something I really needed, and I was thankful for that.”

Pierce was injured, but not dead.

She attended every practice, every game and every tournament the whole way.

The little libero was thankful the injury didn’t require a surgical procedure and that allowed her to stay close to teammates on the court, even though her movement was severely limited.

“Totally by a miracle, the Lord healed me and I got to play,” Pierce said.

Pierce vividly remembers the moment the injury occurred.

“It was our first game of the season,” she said. “I was jumping to save a shanked ball and came down on my left leg and hurt my knee. I knew it was torn, but didn’t want to believe it; it was sad. But I got the point and that’s all that matters, right?”

“Two weeks later I was told I didn’t need surgery because the muscles in there were going to heal the knee. Praise the Lord, an injury like that without surgery doesn’t happen very often. It happened and it was frustrating, but it taught me to be humble and respect my teammates, and that’s a big deal.”

She has been rehabbing the knee three or four times per week, but points out she has been cleared to play. As anyone that knows Pierce, it would surprise no one that on a visit to Trevecca Nazarene, that Pierce got a little court time with some of her future teammates, such as Ooltewah’s Hanna Matthews and Notre Dame’s Stephanie Bouchard.

Matthews is a freshman and Bouchard a junior for the Lady Trojans, who are 16-12 heading into the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament next week in Mason, Ohio.

“I love my new teammates; they’re awesome,” Pierce said. “Hanna and Stephanie have really taken to me and introduced me to the other girls. I will miss the girls here, but I’m super-excited to start my new journey.”

Pierce several schools “up north,” but she desperately wanted to be in Nashville and surrounded by the “music scene” there.”

She must really love country music, right?

“Actually, no,” Pierce said. “I will listen to country all day, but I’m a singer/songwriter of Christian music. I’m going to continue my worship leading at Trevecca and study worship arts as my major. I’m really big into music.”

Pierce attended Silverdale from third grade through sixth grade. She left for seventh and eighth grade in Bradley County and spent her freshman year in high school at Walker Valley, playing for veteran coach Judy Pruett’s Lady Mustangs.

“I played libero up there too and just felt the Lord calling me back to Silverdale,” she said. “And here I am.”

Daugherty said Pierce has played a vital role for the Lady Seahawks, even while she was injured and spending time on the sideline rather than the court during competition games.

“She has been our emotional leader,” Daugherty said. “She has more energy than most players, somebody that has encouraged her teammates and she’s hyper- She’s demanding of her teammates, but in a good way.

“Gracie is a hard worker and the energy thing will help her a lot. She’s hungry and that sets her apart. I think in college the sky is the limit for Gracie as well.”

(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)

Latest Headlines
Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more