Hannah Jefcoat earns academic honor from CoSIDA

Tennessee pole vaulter Hannah Jeffcoat receives academic honor from CoSIDA.

Lady Vols’ track and field athlete Hannah Jefcoat was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America’s Academic All-District 3 Team.

Jefcoat, a redshirt junior pole vaulter for Tennessee, was recognized CoSIDA for her athletic endeavors and her classroom accomplishments.

District 3 is comprised of schools from Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.

Jefcoat, the school’s record holder in the pole vault, is a two-time CoSIDA academic honoree and a four-time member of the Southeastern Conference Honor Roll.

She recently graduated with a degree in kinesiology and received the Volunteer of Distinction award from UT for her academic achievement and professional promise.

In addition to being honored by the SEC and CoSIDA, Jefcoat, a native of Dacula, Georgia, is a three-time member of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches All-Academic Team.

[vertical-gallery id=40209]

Taylor Huff named National Scholar Player of the Year

Lady Vols incoming freshman soccer player Taylor Huff named National Scholar Player of the Year.

Incoming Lady Vols’ soccer player has earned a national honor.

Taylor Huff was named National Scholar Player of the Year by United Soccer Coaches.

Huff was one of 49 players recognized for their accomplishments on the pitch and in the classroom.

In addition to excellence on the field, players had to hold a minimum of a 3.75 cumulative GPA throughout their high school careers.

Huff, who hails from Mansfield, Ohio, graduated at the top of her class at Madison Comprehensive High School with a 4.00 GPA.

She was named Ms. Soccer by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association and helped her team complete a perfect season and capturing the Ohio Division II state championship.

She scored 34 goals and had 27 assists for the Lady Rams during her senior campaign.

Huff tallied 133 goals and a state record 93 assists during her prep career. She was a four-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and was the 2020 National Player of the Year.

[vertical-gallery id=40209]

Kara Lawson to coach Team USA in new Olympic event

Kara Lawson to coach Team USA in new Olympic event.

Duke women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson will take part in the Olympics later this month.

Lawson, who played for the Lady Vols under head coach Pat Summitt, will coach Team USA’s 3×3 women’s basketball team. The event is new to the Olympics this year.

Team USA will be comprised of four players, including Kelsey Plum, Katie Lou Samuelson, Stefanie Dolson and Allisha Gray.

The team went undefeated (6-0) in the recent FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

France and Japan also qualified with their showings in the FIBA tournament. Eight teams will compete later this month in the Olympics.

Despite being Team USA’s head coach, Lawson, under Olympic rules, will not coach in the games.

Coaches are only permitted to direct practice and preparation.

Lawson, an All-America standout during her playing days at Tennessee, won a gold medal for Team USA as a player in 2008.

She played in the WNBA and was formerly a commentator and studio analyst at ESPN before becoming an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics.

[vertical-gallery id=31959]

Erin Edmoundson signs with Lady Vols

Erin Edmoundson signs with Tennessee to play softball.

Tennessee’s softball team has landed a graduate transfer.

Erin Edmoundson has joined the Lady Vols’ program, the school announced Thursday.

Edmoundson, a left-handed pitcher, comes to Tennessee after spending the previous four seasons at Texas Tech.

With the Red Raiders, Edmoundson posted a career record of 54-32 with a 3.07 ERA.

Last season a senior, she went 7-11 and posted a 5.06 ERA.

Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly said Edmoundson is a welcomed addition to the Lady Vols’ program, who recently had pitcher Callie Turner enter the NCAA transfer portal.

“We are thrilled that Erin is joining the Lady Vols,” Weekly said in a press release. “Erin is a seasoned veteran and proven winner in a power-five conference. Her maturity and competitive personality are a great fit for our program.”

In 2019, Edmoundson went 20-5 and pitched 14 complete games at Texas Tech. She received second-team all-region honors from the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association.

She also posted 10 victories in the circle when the 2020 campaign ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Edmoudnson, who hails from Deer Park, Texas and is a Deer Park High School graduate, is a two-time member of the Big 12 All-Academic Team.

[vertical-gallery id=40209]

Five Lady Vols named WGCA All-American scholars

Five Lady Vols named WGCA All-American scholars.

The University of Tennessee women’s golf team has been honored for its achievements in the classroom.

The Lady Vols had five players named to the Women’s Golf Coaches Association’s All-American Scholars Team.

Tennessee players selected included Mikayla Bardwell, Vanessa Gilly, Kayla Holden, Nicole Whiston and Micheala Williams-Luck.

This season marks the first time Tennessee has placed five players named to the team. UT, however, had four players make the team in each of the last three previous campaigns.

To qualify for the team, golfers must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50.

Williams-Brooks has been named to the squad in each of her five years in the Lady Vols’ program, while Bardwell has been recognized for three consecutive seasons.

[vertical-gallery id=40573]

Nicole Shanahan transfers to Tennessee

UT volleyball team signs graduate transfer Nicole Shanahan.

The Tennessee volleyball team has added a graduate transfer for the 2021 season.

The Lady Vols landed middle blocker Nicole Shanahan. Shanahan signed with Tennessee after a four-year stint at Wisconsin, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

At UT, she will pursue a master’s degree in human resources.

Shanahan, a native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and graduate of Oconomowoc High School, played for two Badgers’ teams to reach the NCAA semifinals.

She won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for the 2020-21 season and made the conference’s all-academic team in 2018-19.

Shanahan was also a member of the Big Ten’s All-Star team that toured Japan in 2019.

At Wisconsin, she appeared in 32 sets, recording 21 kills, three service aces and 26 blocks.

[vertical-gallery id=40209]

SEC Network announces programming for Tennessee’s July 14 takeover

SEC Network announces programming for Tennessee’s July 14 takeover.

The annual SEC Network Takeover will take place July 3-16.

Tennessee athletics will be highlighted beginning at midnight EDT on July 14.

Below is a look at Tennessee’s 24-hour programming on the SEC Network for July 14. Programming includes games from Vols and Lady Vols events, along with a documentary.

All times are Eastern.

Callie Turner enters transfer portal

Lady Vols’ pitcher Callie Turner enters transfer portal.

Lady Vols’ softball player Callie Turner has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Turner, a sophomore pitcher for Tennessee, announced her decision to enter the transfer portal after UT co-head coach Ralph Weekly announced his retirement and co-head coach Karen Weekly was tapped by the school to be the next head coach.

Turner went 10-3 for the Lady Vols in 2021. She made 17 starts for Tennessee and had a 2.28 ERA.

Turner, a Florida native and graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School, came to Knoxville in 2020. She was 8-7 during the campaign, which was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Turner made 33 career starts for the Big Orange and had a 2.50 ERA in two seasons at Tennessee.

Turner has three years of eligibility remaining.

[vertical-gallery id=40209]

Candace Parker named WNBA All-Star

Former Lady Vol Candace Parker named WNBA All-Star.

Former Lady Vol Candace Parker was named to her sixth WNBA All-Star game.

The game will be played July 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The WNBA All-Stars will play the USA basketball’s women’s team. ESPN will televise the matchup.

Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. EDT.

Parker, a post player for the Chicago Sky, is in the midst of her 13th WNBA season. She has won a championship and the league’s Most Valuable Player twice.

Parker is the only player in the WNBA to be named MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season, accomplishing the feat in 2008.

She previously played for the Los Angeles Sparks from 2008-20.

Parker also played professionally overseas between 2010-18.

[vertical-gallery id=31959]

90 Lady Vols, Vols on 2020-21 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll

UT places 90 student-athletes on 2020-21 First-Year Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

The University of Tennessee has placed 90 student-athletes on the 2020-21 First-Year Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

UT press release:

The University of Tennessee placed 90 student-athletes on the 2020-21 First-Year Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll that was announced Tuesday by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

That total was the most UT has ever had on the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll. It marked an improvement of five over the 85 who made the list in 2019-20.

Furthermore, those numbers raised Tennessee’s total number of student-athletes recognized in 2020-21 to a program-record 358 combined on the Fall, Winter, Spring and First-Year SEC Academic Honor Rolls. That’s an improvement of 46 over last year and marks the sixth-consecutive year that Tennessee has seen an increased total number of student-athletes on SEC Honor Rolls.

The sum of 358 honorees translates to 65 percent of UT’s student-athletes being on SEC Academic Honor Rolls during the past academic year and also equates to improvement of nearly 200 percent from the 187 who received honors in 2014-15.

On the 2020-21 First-Year SEC Honor Roll, the baseball team led the way for Tennessee with 16 student-athletes recognized, followed by rowing with 15 and men’s swimming and diving with 13. Other programs with recipients include women’s swimming and diving (8), football (7), men’s basketball (5), softball (5), women’s basketball (4), men’s tennis (4), men’s track & field (3), soccer (3), women’s track & field (2), women’s tennis (2), women’s golf (2) and volleyball (1).

A total of 1,130 student-athletes from around the league were named to the 2020-21 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll, which is based on grades from the 2020-21 academic calendar.

Any student‐athlete who participates in a Southeastern Conference championship sport or a student‐athlete who participates in a sport listed on his/her institution’s NCAA Sports Sponsorship Form is eligible for nomination to the Academic Honor Roll.

The following criteria will be followed:

(1) A student‐athlete must have a grade point average of 3.00 or above for either the preceding academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above at the nominating institution.

(2) If a student‐athlete attends summer school, his/her grade point average during the summer academic term must be included in the calculation used to determine eligibility for the Academic Honor Roll.

(3) Student‐athletes eligible for the Honor Roll include those receiving an athletics scholarship, recipients of an athletics award (i.e., letter winner), and non-scholarship student‐athletes who have been on a varsity team for two seasons.

(4) Prior to being nominated, a student‐athlete must have successfully completed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of non‐remedial academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree at the nominating institution.

(5) The student‐athlete must have been a member of a varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA Championship segment.

First-year student‐athletes in all sports may be named to the Honor Roll at the conclusion of their first full academic year in residence (spring, fall and summer terms).

2020-21 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll
University of Tennessee

Baseball (16)
Colin Ahearn – Management
Charez Butcher – Sociology
Jared Dickey – Recreation & Sport Management
Cade Elliott – Finance
Hunter Ensley – Recreation & Sport Management
Hollis Fanning – Forestry
Jake Fitzgibbons – Recreation & Sport Management
Jackson Greer – Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications
Ben Joyce – Finance
Reed Metz – Recreation & Sport Management
Drew Patterson – Biological Sciences
Shawn Scott – Recreation & Sport Management
Zander Sechrist – Forestry
Logan Steenstra – Kinesiology
Charlie Taylor – Supply Chain Management
Blade Tidwell – Recreation & Sport Management

Men’s Basketball (5)
E.J. Anosike – Ag Economics
Kent Gilbert – Recreation & Sport Management
Cole Morris – Civil Engineering
Isaiah Sulack – Management
Corey Walker Jr. – Recreation & Sport Management

Women’s Basketball (4)
Tess Darby – Finance
Keyen Green – MS – Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications
Marta Suárez – Physics
Jordan Walker – MS – Business Administration

Football (7)
Will Albright – University Exploratory
Tee Hodge – University Exploratory
RJ Perry – University Exploratory
Doneiko Slaughter – University Exploratory
Jabari Small – University Exploratory
Javontez Spraggins – University Exploratory
Len’Neth Whitehead – University Exploratory

Women’s Golf (2)
Vanessa Gilly – Finance
Kayla Holden – Nutrition

Rowing (15)
Casey Chronister – Mechanical Engineering
Kelly Flanagan – Psychology
Erin Gifford – Human Resource Management
Ella Hill – Psychology
Hannah Hobby – University Exploratory
Elena Jerkovic – Biological Sciences
Natalia Loram – Political Science
Isabella McAnally – Accounting
Macy Monday – Kinesiology
Allison Reitz – Finance
Madeleine Rott – Nutrition
Emma Seawright – Biological Sciences
Adrianna Thrasher – Finance
Sophia Von Dauber – Biological Sciences
Logan Yates – Nutrition

Women’s Soccer (3)
Caitlin Foley – Communication Studies
Sydney Hennessey – Kinesiology
Lawson Renie – Business

Softball (5)
Kaylan Cole – Audiology & Speech Pathology
Ivy Davis – MS in Communication & Information – Public Relations Concentration
Bailey McCachren – Biomedical Engineering
Caliyah Thompson – Neuroscience
Rylie West – Journalism & Electronic Media

Men’s Swimming & Diving (13)
Micah Chambers – Kinesiology
Jack Gillespie – Neuroscience
Will Jackson – Business
Joseph Jordan – Kinesiology
Jacob McDonald – University Exploratory
Alexander Milanovich – Business Analytics
Jacob Narvid – Accounting
Rafael Ponce de Leon Castilla – Business Analytics
Jacob Reasor – Business
Dillon Richardson – Marketing
Dain Ripol – Supply Chain Management
Joey Tepper – Chemical Engineering
Jordan Tiffany – University Exploratory

Women’s Swimming & Diving (8)
Jordan Aurnou‐Rhees – Management
Alyssa Breslin – University Exploratory
Elle Caldow – Hospitality & Tourism Management
Nicola Lane – Biological Sciences
Margaret Marando – Architecture
Mona McSharry – University Exploratory
Berit Quass – Accounting
Annie Rimmer – Recreation/Sport Management

Men’s Tennis (4)
Joel Gamerov – MS in Communication & Information – Advertising Concentration
Josh Raab – Construction Science
Coy Simon – Supply Chain Management
Trey Stinchcomb – Business Analytics

Women’s Tennis (2)
Esther Adeshina – Management
Eleonora Molinaro – Kinesiology

Men’s Track & Field (3)
Spencer Brown – Recreation/Sport Management
Mike Griffin – Recreation/Sports Management
Daniel Igbokwe – MS in Management & Human Resources

Women’s Track & Field (2)
Caroline Lewis – Anthropology
Callie Tucker – Neuroscience

Volleyball (1)
JaKya Moore – Recreation/Sport Management

[vertical-gallery id=40209]