Category: Lady Vols

Lady Vols edge Vanderbilt in Nashville

Lady Vols edge Vanderbilt in Nashville.

NASHVILLE — The Lady Vols traveled to Nashville to face in-state rival Vanderbilt, and they fell behind early.

The Commodores proved to be a valiant foe, but Tennessee left the mid-state with a 78-69 victory Thursday night in a Southeastern Conference game played at the Memorial Gymnasium.

The Lady Vols, who were arguably their own worst enemy, committed 13 turnovers in the first half. Tennessee (17-4 overall, 7-1 in the SEC) fell behind Vanderbilt (12-9, 2-5) early and trailed 21-15 by the end of the first quarter.

But UT would prevail as it boasted a balanced scoring attack.

Rennia Davis again led the way as she scored 22 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds for the No. 22 Lady Vols. Jazmine Massengill added 14 points while Jordan Horston and Rae Burrell finished with 11 points each.

Koi Love scored 16 points for the Commodores.

Rennia Davis named SEC Player of the Week

Rennia Davis named SEC Player of the Week.

KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee women’s basketball player Rennia Davis was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 20.

Davis, a junior forward and lone returning starter from last year’s UT squad, scored 30 points Sunday as the Lady Vols outlasted LSU, 63-58, in a key SEC showdown at Thompson-Boling Arena.

She also had eight rebounds and four steals as Tennessee (16-4 overall, 6-1 in the SEC) got past the Tigers.

Davis also scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Lady Vols’ 60-45 non-conference road loss at Connecticut as the two traditional powerhouses renewed their longstanding rivalry.

Davis has won the honor twice this season and five times throughout her illustrious career on Rocky Top.

 

Kellie Harper discusses Kobe Bryant’s passing

Kellie Harper discusses Kobe Bryant’s passing.

KNOXVILLE — Retired NBA star Kobe Bryant, 41, died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif.

Bryant was the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played his entire 20-year career and winning five NBA championships.

NBA: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Kobe Bryant (center) poses with his family Gianna Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Bianka Bryant, and Natalia Bryant during a halftime ceremony retiring Kobe Bryant’s two uniform numbers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Lady Vols basketball team played Sunday afternoon and defeated LSU, 63-58.

Following the contest, Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper discussed playing and learning of Bryant’s passing.

“We’re excited about the win,” Harper said. “Any time you can get a conference win, it’s a big deal. But then you go in the locker room, and you get the news about Kobe Bryant and our team, our staff, we were just gut wrenched. It was really tough for me to even address our team.

“That’s a big figure and same thing that Rennia (Davis) said just now, I told the team. You hope it doesn’t, but sometimes it takes a big event like that to really put things in perspective. We just played a game, and life is so much bigger than that, and hopefully we don’t take that for granted.”

Rennia Davis leads Lady Vols past LSU

Rennia Davis leads Lady Vols past LSU.

KNOXVILLE — Rennia Davis posted another stellar performance to lead the Lady Vols to a 63-58 Southeastern Conference victory over LSU Sunday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Davis, a junior, and Tennessee’s lone returning starter from last year’s squad, scored 30 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four steals to lift the Lady Vols to a victory that helped them retain their share of second place in the conference standings.

UT (16-4 overall, 6-1 in the SEC) is tied for second with Mississippi State.

Davis was the brightest star of the day for the Lady Vols, but she got plenty of help from her supporting cast late in the contest.

Jazmine Massengill scored seven points with all coming in the fourth quarter. Lou Brown had four points and two assists. She hit a key late shot to help the Lady Vols maintain control of the contest against the Tigers (14-5, 4-3).

Tamari Key added six points and four blocks while Jaiden McCoy and Jordan Horston scored five points apiece.

Tennessee also overcame a slow start and fell behind 11-4 out of the gate.

Ayana Mitchell led LSU with 24 points and Khayla Pointer finished with 12.

Rivalry renewed: Lady Vols fall to UConn

UConn defeats Tennessee.

HARTFORD – No. 23 Tennessee renewed its rivalry with No. 3 UConn Thursday night in Hartford, Conn. at XL Center.

The Lady Vols were defeated by UConn, 60-45.

NCAA Womens Basketball: Tennessee at Connecticut
Jan 23, 2020; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) shoots against Tennessee Lady Vols guard Jordan Horston (25) in the first half at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

UConn moves to 14-9 in the all-time series against Tennessee. The win also ends a three-game losing streak to the Lady Vols.

The contest was the first between the two schools since 2007 and the 23rd overall in the series.

Tennessee controlled the first half and took a 31-28 lead into halftime.

At halftime, a check for $10,000 was issued to the Pat Summitt Foundation.

In the second half, it was all UConn.

The Lady Vols only scored seven points in the third quarter and entered the contest’s final stanza down, 49-38.

UConn held Tennessee to its fewest points in a second half all-time (14).

Lady Vol updates ahead of UConn rivalry renewal

Lady Vol updates ahead of UConn rivalry renewal.

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HARTFORD — No. 23 Tennessee (15-3, 5-1 SEC) will play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Revival Series vs. No. 3 UConn (16-1, 7-0 AAC) at XL Arena.

Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN. Adam Amin (PxP), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) will be on the call.

Tennessee and UConn have not played since 2007 and tonight’s contest will be the 23rd meeting all-time in the contest.

Below are live updates from both Tennessee’s and UConn’s Twitter accounts ahead of the matchup.

NEXT: Updates from Tennessee

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Lady Vols, UConn set to renew rivalry

Lady Vols, UConn set to renew rivalry.

HARTFORD — No. 23 Tennessee (15-3, 5-1 SEC) will play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Revival Series vs. No. 3 UConn (16-1, 7-0 AAC) at XL Arena.

Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN. Adam Amin (PxP), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) will be on the call.

2004 NCAA Women's National Championship: Tennessee v UCONN
NEW ORLEANS – APRIL 6: Head coach Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Vols (L) and head coach Geno Auriemma of the University of Connecticut Huskies meet before the National Championship game of the NCAA Women’s Final Four Tournament at the New Orleans Arena on April 6, 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The contest will be the first between the two schools since 2007 and the 23rd overall in the series. UConn leads the all-time series, 13-9. The Lady Vols have won the last three contests (2005-07).

Both schools have combined to win 19 NCAA national championships (Pat Summitt won eight and UConn’s Geno Auriemma has won 11) and 2,538 games. First-year Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper was 4-1 against UConn as a player for the Lady Vols from 1996-99.

Rennia Davis makes late jumper to lift Lady Vols past Alabama, 65-63

Rennia Davis makes late jumper to lift Lady Vols past Alabama, 65-63.

KNOXVILLE — Streaks are made to be broken and on Monday night, the Lady Vols were able to snap a dubious slide on a historic night for the Tennessee women’s basketball program.

Rennia Davis buried a long-range 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining to lift the Lady Vols to a 65-63 Southeastern Conference victory over Alabama at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Crimson Tide coach Kristy Curry designed a diamond-and-one defense to stop the Lady Vols’ top scorer. But Davis still finished the contest with 16 points for Tennessee (15-3 overall, 5-1 in the SEC), including the winning shot to snap a five-game losing streak to Alabama.

The win was a historic one for the Lady Vols and a milestone for new Tennessee coach Kellie Harper.

The victory was UT’s 400th all-time SEC win and the 300th for Harper, who previously coached at Missouri State, North Carolina State and Western Carolina, leading all three teams to the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee, ranked No. 23 in the country, had just two players in double figures as freshman Jordan Horston  had 19 points (an SEC career high) and Davis added 16 despite facing a gimmick defense designed to keep her off the scoreboard.

Jordan Lewis scored 15 points to lead the Crimson Tide (11-8, 1-4). She now has 1,000 career points at Alabama.

Lady Vols run past Florida, 78-50

Lady Vols run past Florida, 78-50.

GAINESVILLE — Rennia Davis had a solid homecoming performance to help the Lady Vols to a 78-50 Southeastern Conference victory over Florida Wednesday night at the O’Connell Center.

Davis, a junior forward and Jacksonville native, scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds to help Tennessee improve to 14-3 overall and 4-1 in the SEC.

Davis led a balanced attack for the Lady Vols, who fell behind the Gators (11-7, 2-3) 6-2 early before closing the first quarter with a 15-3 run.

Rae Burrell scored 11 points. Jordan Horston added nine. Jazmine Massengill finished with eight and Kasi Kushkiuah and Lou Brown had seven points and apiece while Knoxville native and Farragut High School graduate Jaiden McCoy and Jessie Rennie each finished with six.

Lavender Briggs and Brylee Bartrum each scored 11 for Florida.

The Lady Vols return to action Monday night when they host Alabama.

The Crimson Tide have won five consecutive games in the series between the two longtime rivals.

 

UT announces baseball, softball preseason meet and greet events

UT announces baseball, softball preseason meet and greet events.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee announced plans for its baseball and softball annual preseason meet and greet events on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The University of Tennessee baseball team will also hold its annual First Pitch Banquet at the Mill and Mine in Downtown Knoxville.

The banquet will be on Saturday, Jan. 25, and doors open at 6:15 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The program will include a speech from Tennessee coach Tony Vitello and guests may also meet current UT players and notable alumni including Yan Gomes, JP Arencibia, Julio Borbon and Luke Hochevar.

UT press release:

Tennessee baseball and Tennessee softball will both hold their annual preseason meet and greet events on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Both events are free to attend and will feature opportunities for fans to meet coaches and players as well as tour the facilities of both programs. Those in attendance will also be able to meet with members of the Tennessee ticket office to discuss ticket options for the upcoming season.

Softball Meet & Greet Info (2-4 p.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium)
The timeline for the softball meet and greet is as follows:

2 – 2:45 PM – Fans will have the opportunity to choose from all of the following activities:

  • Open Batting Cages
  • Tours:  Film Room, Locker Room, Team Room, Tennessee Dugout
  • Kids’ Carnival
  • Visit with Tennessee Ticket Office staff – One (1) ticket office member will be available in the conference room to answer any questions fans may have about their accounts. One (1) member of our group sales staff will also be available to sell season and single-game tickets as well as group tickets.

2:45 – 3 PM – Head Coaches 2020 Season Preview and Team Intros (Located in Section F of bleachers pending weather)

3 – 4 PM –  Team Autographs (players only) will begin in the batting cages

Admission and parking is FREE. Parking is available in all areas surrounding Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

After three straight weekend tournaments on the road to open the season, the Lady Vols will welcome UT Martin to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. for their home opener.

UT is slated to host 22 home contests throughout the year, including four SEC series (Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Ole Miss). The Lady Vols will be looking to make their 16th consecutive postseason appearance in 2020 as they also celebrate the program’s 25th year.

Baseball Meet & Greet Info (3-5 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium)
The baseball team’s meet and greet will run from 3-5 p.m. ET at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Fans are also invited to watch the Vols’ practice beforehand. Immediately following its conclusion fans will have the opportunity to meet the 2020 Volunteers while touring the baseball facilities.

The Lindsey Nelson Stadium facility tour is set to include stops through all of the Vols’ facilities and end in the batting cages, where all kids ages 12 and younger will have the chance to take batting practice. Throughout the tour, Tennessee players and coaches will also be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures.

Those who attend the event will receive a free admission voucher to one of Tennessee’s opening-weekend series games against Western Illinois (Feb. 14-16).

For those looking for season ticket assistance, the Tennessee Athletics ticket office will have representatives available to help secure seats for the fast-approaching 2020 season.

All fans planning to attend Tennessee Baseball’s Meet & Greet and practice are encouraged to park in lots GF1, GF2, GF3 and GF4, which are located along Todd Helton Drive behind the right field foul pole of Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee opens its 2019 season with a home series against Western Illinois (Feb. 14-16). The Vols are schedule to play 37 home games during the regular season, with 12 against teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year, including nine contests against opponents that made it to the Super Regionals and six versus foes that made a trip to Omaha for the College World Series.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Tennessee athletic events, UT has implemented a clear bag policy at all of its athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.