Tag: Lady Vols

Swim teams close out fall season at Double Dual

Recapping the final day of the Tennessee Double Dual swim meet.

The Tennessee Vols and Lady Vols swimming and diving teams closed out the fall portion of their schedule by hosting the Tennessee Double Dual.

The event concluded Saturday at the Allan Jones Aquatics Center.

Senior Kayky Mota swept the butterfly events, winning both the 100 and 200.

Bryden Haddie was a top diver for the Volunteers as he scored 449.80 points on the platform.

In the women’s 200 breaststroke, Tennessee’s Mona McSharry posted a time of 2:08.03, the third best mark in the history of the program. She also swam a 58.28 in the 100 breaststroke on Friday. Emily Sykes swam the 200 breaststroke in 2:10.26 in Saturday’s finals.

In the men’s 200 breaststroke, junior Michael Houlie swam a personal best Saturday as he posted a time of 1:54.77, that’s the fifth best time in Tennessee history.

Jordan Tiffany excelled in the men’s 200 butterfly as he swam the event in 1:43.96. That’s his personal best in the event.

In the women’s mile, UT’s Kristen Stege and Claire Nguyen swam their way into Lady Vols’ history. Stege owns the seventh fastest time in the event while Nguyen’s effort places her ninth all-time.

Lady Vols take two volleyball matches at Auburn

Lady Vols close season with two wins at Auburn.

The University of Tennessee volleyball team closed out the fall portion of its schedule on a high note Thursday night at Auburn.

The Lady Vols completed a two-match sweep of the Tigers, as they prevailed in straight sets, 25-20, 25-12, 25-14.

Lily Felts, a Knoxville product and Berean Christian School graduate had 13 kills in the match.

Danielle Mahaffey finished with 10 kills, while Natalie Haywrd dished out 29 assists and posted three kills.

The victory was Tennessee’s third consecutive sweep of the Tigers, who finished the season with a record of 0-8, 0-8 SEC.

The win helped Tennessee even its record (4-4, 4-4 SEC), while playing a Southeastern Conference-only schedule.

UT opened the week by notching a 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 win over the Tigers Wednesday night.

Felts, a junior, finished Wednesday’s match with 18 kills and 10 digs. Ava Bell and Mahaffey each had eight kills, while Raquel Berinar added seven kills and led the Lady Vols with three blocks.

Maryville High graduate Madison Coulter and JaKya Moore each dished out three assists in the match for Tennessee.

Karoline Striplin signs with Tennessee

Karoline Striplin signs to play basketball for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee women’s basketball team and head coach Kellie Harper has signed a recruit from Alabama.

Karoline Striplin signed her National Letter of Intent to play for Harper and the Lady Vols in Knoxville.

Striplin announced her signing on a social media post via Twitter.

“Officially signed,” Striplin said. “Can’t believe God answered my prayers in such an amazing way!”

Striplin is a power forward and center at Geneva County High School in Hartford, Alabama.

She committed to UT in February and had multiple NCAA Division I scholarship offers, including several from the Southeastern Conference.

Striplin received interest from the likes of Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Missouri, North Carolina State, Penn State, Oregon and UCLA.

Lady Vols to face Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament

Previewing Tennessee’s soccer match against Vanderbilt in SEC Tournament

ORANGE BEACH — When the University of Tennessee women’s soccer team opens competition in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, it will play in-state rival Vanderbilt.

The Commodores advance to tangle with the Lady Vols Tuesday with a 4-0 victory over Mississippi State Sunday.

Kickoff for the match between No. 2 seed Tennessee and No. 7 Vanderbilt is slated for 1 p.m. EST. The match will be televised on the SEC Network.

Tennessee (4-3-1) edged the Commodores (5-4), 1-0 in overtime, during their regular-season meeting at Regal Soccer Complex in Knoxville Sept. 27. The Commodores entered that game ranked No. 10 in the nation.

Jaida Thomas scored the lone goal in Tennessee’s win during the 92nd minute against Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt has played in four overtime matches during the 2020 season. The Commodores are 1-3 in overtime contests with their lone victory coming against Florida.

Vanderbilt has lost in extra time to South Carolina, Tennessee and Ole Miss.

Lady Vols announce basketball schedule

Story announcing Lady Vols’ home basketball schedule.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee women’s basketball team has announced its 2020-21 schedule.

The Lady Vols are slated to play 24 games and open the season on Thanksgiving weekend.

The season tips off on Nov. 27 when Tennessee hosts Florida A&M at Thompson-Boling Arena. The following day, Tennessee hosts Western Kentucky.

Game times have yet to be determined.

This season, UT will also have nonconference home games against East Tennessee State (Dec. 1), Jackson State (Dec. 20), Lipscomb (Dec. 28) and Connecticut on Jan. 21, 2021.

The Lady Vols will play a 16-game Southeastern Conference schedule with home games against Kentucky (Jan. 3); Arkansas (Jan. 7); Georgia (Jan. 14); Ole Miss (Jan. 28); Florida (Jan. 31); Vanderbilt (Feb. 14); South Carolina (Feb. 18) and Auburn (Feb. 28).

The SEC Tournament opens March 3 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Former Lady Vol named interim head coach at Kentucky

Former Lady Vols player and assistant Kyra Elzy named interim coach at Kentucky.

LEXINGTON — With the 2020-21 season looming, the University of Kentucky has hired a former Lady Vols player as its head coach.

Kyra Elzy, who has been an assistant for the Wildcats during the last four seasons, was tapped as Kentucky’s interim head coach following a surprise retirement announcement from Matthew Mitchell.

Mitchell leaves Kentucky as the school’s all-time leader in wins (303). He was a graduate assistant with the Lady Vols during the 1999-2000 season under Pat Summitt.

FILE – In this March 31, 2013 file photo, Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick, right, and assistant coach Kyra Elzy, left, shout to their team in the first half of a regional semifinal game against Oklahoma in the women’s NCAA college basketball tournament in Oklahoma City. The Southeastern Conference heads into the 2013-14 season seeking to send a team to the Final Four for the first time since 2008. Tennessee, the defending SEC regular-season champ, may have the best shot at ending the drought. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Elzy previously served as an assistant coach at Tennessee from 2012-16. She played for the Lady Vols from 1996-2001.

Statement from Kyra Elzy

“Coach Mitchell means so much to me and I owe him an enormous amount of gratitude for his guidance throughout my coaching career. This is not an easy day for any of us as we come to grips with his decision to retire. My immediate focus is on our players and making sure that they are dealing with this change that has happened so abruptly. As you can understand, this has been difficult for them to process. We met with the players and their families this evening and ensured them that this program will stand on the same principles moving forward. I want to thank Mr. Barnhart, President Capilouto and our administration for trusting me as the interim head coach. Coach Mitchell has set this program on a path for distinguished success, and as interim head coach, I promise that our staff will work tirelessly to make sure the program continues to build upon the success that Coach Mitchell has had at Kentucky.”

Wrenne French named National Player of the Week

UT soccer player Wrenne French named National Player of the Week after scoring in victory over South Carolina

KANSAS CITY — University of Tennessee soccer player Wrenne French has been named National Player of the Week by the United Soccer Coaches Association.

French, a senior defender for the Lady Vols, scored the lone goal in Tennessee’s 1-0 victory over South Carolina on Nov. 9 in her final home match at Regal Soccer Complex.

She was also named Southeastern Conference Defensive player of the Week after the Lady Vols downed the No. 9 Gamecocks to win the SEC East Division championship. It was UT’s first division title since 2005.

Tennessee will now turn its attention to the upcoming SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The Lady Vols will have a double bye in the tournament and will open play on Nov.17, at 1 p.m. EST against either Vanderbilt or Ole Miss.

The match will be televised on the SEC Network.

Wrenne French named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Story detailing Tennessee’s Wrenne French being Defensive Player of the Week in the SEC

BIRMINGHAM — University of Tennessee soccer player Wrenne French was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

French, a senior playing her final home match at the Regal Soccer Complex on Nov. 6, scored the lone goal of the match as Tennessee edged No. 9 South Carolina.

Tennessee’s win clinched a SEC East Division championship and the No. 2 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

With its win over the Gamecocks, the Lady Vols secured a double bye in the SEC Tournament.

UT, which won its first divisional title since 2005, will open the SEC Tournament on Nov. 17 against either No. 7 Vanderbilt or No. 10 Ole Miss.

Kickoff for the game in Orange Beach, Alabama, is slated for 1 p.m. EST and will be televised on SEC Network.

Lady Vols win SEC East in soccer

Recapping Lady Vols’ 1-0 soccer victory over South Carolina Friday night in Knoxville.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee women’s soccer team clinched the Southeastern Conference’s East Division championship with a victory over a top-10 team.

The Lady Vols closed out the regular season with a 1-0 victory over South Carolina Friday night at the Regal Soccer Complex.

With the positive result, Tennessee captured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament. The Lady Vols will have a double BYE in the conference tournament, which will be held in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The Lady Vols (4-3-1, 4-3-1 SEC) and No. 9 South Carolina (6-2-0, 6-2-0 SEC) slugged through a scoreless first half. UT had a winning goal from senior Wrenne French, headed in a corner kick from Claudia Dipasupil during the 50th minute of the match.

Lady Vols edge Florida, 2-1

Lady Vols edge Florida, 2-1.

GAINESVILLE — Claudia Dipasupil scored a goal and had one assist to lift the University of Tennessee women’s soccer team to a 2-1 Southeastern Conference victory over Florida.

Dipasupil scored the first goal of the match when she tallied from 25 yards out in the 27th minute to give the Lady Vols (3-3-1, 3-3-1 SEC) a 1-0 lead over the Gators.

Tennessee took a 2-0 lead in the 70th minute when Jaida Thomas scored on a 3-yard header. Dipasupil was credited with an assist on the game’s second marker.

UT goalkeeper Jenna Rolfe was making her first start of the season. She picked up the victory while making one save.

The Lady Vols and Gators (1-4-1, 1-4-1) both managed 11 shots in the contest.

Maddy Rhoades tallied for Florida in the 81st minute.

The win was the Lady Vols’ third consecutive over Florida, which ties the longest SEC winning streak in school history in the series.

Next up for the Lady Vols is a showdown against South Carolina in their fall finale Friday night.

The Gamecocks are leading the conference and they are a top team in the nation.

Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. EDT at the Regal Soccer Stadium. The winner of the match will claim the SEC East Division crown.