Notre Dame women’s basketball trip to Virginia postponed

Another cancelation

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced today that the Notre Dame at Virginia women’s basketball game scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 30, has been postponed due to COVID precautions in the Cavaliers program. Both teams are working with the ACC to reschedule the contest. Meanwhile, Virginia is adhering to the outlined COVID protocols within the ACC Medical Advisory Group report, which is available on theACC.com (full report).

Notre Dame’s contest at Duke for Jan. 2 remains intact.

Women’s Basketball Profile: Rennia Davis

Women’s Basketball Profile: Rennia Davis

KNOXVILLE — The Lady Vols basketball team has gotten off to a scorching start this season, thanks in large part to the play of Rennia Davis.

Hailing from Jacksonville, Fla., Davis been a leader for this Tennessee squad reminiscent of Rocky Top legend Candace Parker. The 6-foot-2 junior swingwoman has been a tugboat for the team in her two-plus seasons, logging over 30 minutes per game during that stretch, and providing both a scoring punch and a presence on the glass.

Davis played high school ball at Jacksonville’s Ribault High School starting in 2014, where she earned numerous accolades. She was named to the FABC 4A All-State First Team all four years she played, and led her squad to state titles in both her junior and senior seasons; she participated on three total championship teams at Ribault. She averaged 20.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game her junior year, and for her senior season, Davis elevated her scoring game to post 26.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and was named a McDonald’s All-American and MaxPreps First-Team All-American, among many other distinctions. It should also be noted that she was a superlative student, graduating 14th in her class and earning a dual-enrollment AA degree, while also being named to the National Honor Society.

Before beginning her collegiate career, Davis played in the 2016 USA Women’s U17 World Championship Team Trials with the AAU club Essence. She averaged 12.3 points over seven games, scoring double digits in five of those matches and sporting a high mark of 20 points, while also averaging 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game over the same stretch.

Davis came out of the gates on fire for the Lady Volunteers, averaging 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in her debut season, while starting 32 of 33 games on the year. She finished sixth all-time in rebounds per game by a Lady Vol freshman with 7.6, ranking No. 11 in rebounding in the SEC and second among conference freshmen. She shot .483 from the field, .329 on three-pointers — her 25 treys were the fourth-most on the team. She also notched nine double-doubles to tie Tamika Catchings for fifth-most double-doubles ever recorded by a Lady Vol freshman.

Her sophomore year was an impressive step forward that earned her a 2019 All-SEC Second Team selection as well as a WBCA All-America Honorable Mention selection. She led the Lady Vols in scoring (14.9), rebounding (7.7) and free throw percentage (.856) in just her second season in Knoxville. Her free throw mark was an SEC-best, while her rebounding and scoring numbers placed her eighth and twelfth in the conference, respectively. She continued her tear as a double-double machine, matching her freshman season output of nine — the seventh-most double-doubles ever by a UT sophomore and the sixth-most by an active player in the SEC. She also scored in double figures a team-leading 26 times, with 16 games of 15-plus points and six of 20 or more.

Expectations have been high for Davis entering her junior year after being named to numerous watch-lists, including the Wooden Award Preseason Top 30, the Citizen Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List, and the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 30. So far, she has lived up to the hype, recording double-doubles in four of her first six games, and already receiving one SEC Player of the Week award after she exploded for a career-high 33 points against a then No. 16-ranked Notre Dame squad. She’s averaging 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game so far, making 18 of 22 free throws for a healthy 82 percent mark.

The women’s team has gotten off to a tremendous start this season winning their first six games out of the gate, and Rennia Davis is one of the biggest factors in their success. The talent and potential has always been there, and fans are now witnessing one of Tennessee’s best players blossom right before their eyes. With Rennia Davis holding the reins, the possibilities for the Lady Vols are endless.

UT News: November 28, 2019

UT News: November 28, 2019

Welcome to a Thanksgiving edition of UT News, where the turkey is moist, the wonderful scents of the holiday permeate the room, and nobody fights at the table. There is not much on tap today to cover, though the Lady Vols volleyball team triumphed over Auburn for Senior Night and wet-head Erika Brown was named SEC Swimmer of the Week. So without further ado, on to the news.

Lady Vols grab Senior Night victory over Auburn

The Lady Vols volleyball squad defeated Auburn last night in four sets, in their final match of the season at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The cherry on top of the victory was that the win came on Senior Night, making it a suiting finale for the women who have played in their last home game in Knoxville. The triumph also gave the Volunteers their fourth victory in their last five matches. Tessa Grubbs’ 14 kills now places her at No. 8 all-time at Tennessee, with 1,405 kills in her four-year career.

Coach Eve Rackham had the following to say about the Senior Night win.

“You can’t hope for anything else other than to be able to play great at home and send your seniors out the right way. We gave them all a chance to start and they played so well. It’s kind of storybook ending, but that’s what you want to be able to do. And I just feel fortunate we were able to do that for them and to be able to repay as much as we can.”

The Lady Vols wrap up the season in Starkville, Miss. against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. UT has won four of their previous matches, including a sweep earlier this season. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will air on SEC Network+.

NEXT: Erika Brown named SEC Swimmer of the Week

UT News: November 27, 2019

UT News: November 27, 2019

We have reached the middle of the week — and also the day before Thanksgiving — which means football is in the air, as the Volunteers gear up for their final regular-season game against the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Vols have been on a roll in the athletics realm, but they have also excelled in the classroom as well. Speaking of doing well, the Lady Vols basketball team continues to roll along after defeating the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions last night, and their coach had a few things to say about the hot start. The hottest of them all might be quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, but let us discuss the academic accolades first.

Record four Vols make academic all-district team

The Tennessee Volunteers have scored big in the classroom, with four football players earning CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team honors — the most among Power 5 programs.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Brandon Kennedy, redshirt junior offensive lineman Ryan Johnson, junior defensive lineman Matthew Butler and sophomore punter/kicker Paxton Brooks were selected by CoSIDA in District 3 this month for their combined excellence both in athletics and academics. The four are also eligible for Academic All-American honors as well.

Johnson received his second consecutive selection — only the third Vol ever to earn the feat, with Parker Henry and Peyton Manning being the only other two. Overall, Tennessee now has 32 all-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.

NEXT: Coach Harper breaks the Lady Vols down

UT News: November 26, 2019

UT News: November 26, 2019

The Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team emerged victorious last night with a 12-point win over the Chattanooga Mocs, and in the process, Lamonte Turner put up some big numbers. Tonight, the ladies get set to take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff, looking to extend their season opening winning streak to six games. Then coming up this weekend, the Vols football team will celebrate Senior Day, commemorating 14 players.

Lady Vols basketball face Arkansas-Pine Bluff tonight

The undefeated Lady Vols take on the winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions tonight for the third game of their six-game homestand.

The currently No. 23-ranked women come into the game riding a five-game winning streak, as well as steadily climbing up the polls. After taking their first three on the road to open the season, they have protected their home court with two victories thus far. The meeting with the Golden Lions is the first-ever between the schools in women’s hoops.

Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena and can be watched on SECN+ and can be heard on local Vols affiliates.

NEXT: 14 Players Set to be recognized on Senior Day

UT News: November 25, 2019

UT News: November 25, 2019

The Volunteers football team emerged victorious Saturday night over the Missouri Tigers, earning a postseason bid for the first time in three seasons. Meanwhile, the swimming and diving team had a record-breaking effort at the Tennessee Invitational while the women’s volleyball team split a pair of matches over the weekend. Additionally, the men’s basketball team looks to extend their perfect start tonight while the Lady Vols get set to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday evening.

Men’s basketball takes on Chattanooga

The 20th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team takes on the Chattanooga Mocs tonight at Thompson-Boling Arena. The 4-0 Vols look to extend their season-opening winning streak to five against their Southern Conference foes.

The Volunteers and the Mocs have tangled 39 times on the hardwood over the years, with the Vols dropping their last match, 82-69. However, the Big Orange leads the all-time series, 33-6, and sports a 94-17 all-time record against teams from the Southern Conference.

A win would extend UT’s Division I-leading home winning streak to 30 games and also give Tennessee a 52-14 record as a ranked team during the Barnes era, per the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Head coach Rick Barnes lost his only previous match against the Mocs, that same game that the Vols last lost to them opening the season three years ago.

Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network, and can be heard on local Vol Network affiliates.

NEXT: Lady Vols volleyball split a pair of matches

UT News: November 21, 2019

UT News: November 21, 2019

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The Tennessee Volunteers basketball program — both men and women — remain unbeaten after after the guys handily defeated the Alabama State Hornets last night, keeping Vols athletics on its current roll. Coming up this weekend, the football team will get its chance to continue the winning trend when it faces the Missouri Tigers on the road, and the swimming and diving team hosts the Tennessee Invitational over the course of three days beginning today. There is plenty on tap as the week winds down for Vols fans, and the teams are ready.

Vols are practicing at their best

The biggest news on the gridiron has been the Vols’ preparation for what amounts to a must-win game if Tennessee wants to keep its bowl hopes alive. According to head coach Jeremy Pruitt, the boys are putting in the work, and it appears to be paying off.

“The last two days have been our best practices all year here in the season and I like the way we practice. Our guys seem to be gaining some confidence, and I’m talking about confidence in what they’re doing. That comes with age and experience. We’ve got to take it from the practice field and take it to a Saturday.”

Pruitt added that the bye week allowed players who have been banged up a little more time to get back up to speed.

“We got guys that our banged up from the last game, but having a week off we tried to get them ready to play, but at the same time use common sense. There might be a couple of guys that might be a little bit limited, but we should have everybody ready to play.”

This news should be extremely encouraging to Vols fans, as the team appears to be peaking as the season wanes. Hopefully, the fruits of UT’s labors will be reaped on Saturday.

NEXT: Lady Vols golf coach honored with award

UT News: November 20, 2019

UT News: November 20, 2019

College basketball is currently in high gear, and both the men’s and women’s teams have been rolling along nicely to start the season. The Lady Vols extended their winning streak to five games with their victory last night over the Stetson Hatters, while the men face the Alabama State Hornets tonight looking to move to 4-0. There are also a couple of former Vols making the news in the professional ranks worth mentioning. But first, a bit about tonight’s basketball match.

Vols basketball host Alabama State

No. 20-ranked Tennessee Volunteers welcome the Alabama State Hornets to Thompson-Boling Arena tonight in a match between an unbeaten and a winless team.

The Vols return home after an impressive performance in Toronto, Ontario, defeating the then-No. 20-ranked Washington Huskies. The Hornets are unlikely to be as big of a challenge, though one can never sleep on their laurels when it comes to NCAA basketball. A win, however, would be Tennessee’s 29th-straight at the friendly confines — a mark that currently leads Division I.

This is only the second meeting between the two schools, with the Vols defeating the Hornets 71-45 in their lone matchup back in 2005. Head coach Rick Barnes is also undefeated against foes from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, currently sporting a 10-0 record. Barnes also faced ASU once prior, leading Providence to victory back in 1991.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and can be watched on SEC Network+, as well as heard on the Vol Network.

NEXT: Former Vol hoists MLB championship trophy

Lady Vols basketball trounce Stetson

Lady Vols basketball trounce Stetson.

KNOXVILLE — The Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball team defeated the Stetson Hatters on Tuesday night, 73-46, in their 500th game at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Lady Vols were led by Rennia Davis, who scored 15 points, along with five rebounds and two assists. Jordan Horston scored 11 points in the first quarter, including three three-pointers, en route to a 14 point performance in support; she also grabbed five boards and dished out seven assists. Three other players — Jazmine Massengill, Kasiyahna Kushkituah and Rae Burrell — also posted double-digit points.

The Volunteers came out of the gates making three buckets from beyond the arc on three straight possessions, missing the fourth consecutive attempt to break the streak. The Lady Vols never trailed and reached their biggest lead of 27 at the 1:52 mark of the fourth quarter, which ultimately was the final margin of victory.

Tennessee shot 43 percent from the field with a 38 percent mark from three-point range after a hot start, and they posted a 65 percent free throw average on 23 attempts — all numbers that indicate another solid performance by the squad. Their 13 turnovers to Stetson’s 11 suggest that the game was well-executed on both sides.

The win improved the program to an incredible 455-45 record at Thompson-Boling Arena in their second game of a six-game homestand. It also marks head coach Kellie Harper’s first 5-0 start of her career.

The Volunteers will next host the Arkansas-Pine Bluffs Golden Lions next Tuesday, November 26, heading into the Thanksgiving break. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

UT News: November 15, 2019

UT News: November 15, 2019

It is finally Friday, and a slow one at that, as the Tennessee Volunteers football team head into a bye weekend before embarking to Columbia, Mo. to face the Missouri Tigers. In the meantime, the Lady Vols basketball team trounced Tennessee State last night, while the men gear up to take on the No. 20-ranked Washington Huskies on Saturday. But Tennessee athletics is more than just the major sports, and the others are the focus of today’s UT News.

Men’s golf team signs two

Tennessee men’s golf coach Brennan Webb announced the signing of two players to the team on Thursday.

Jackson Skeen, a Jonesboro, Tenn. native, is a top-150 ranked player in the 2020 class according to Junior Golf Scoreboard. He had a successful amateur career so far, including the 2018 TSSAA Class AAA Individual Championship as well as All-State honors in 2016 and 2018.

“Jackson (Skeen) has had a very successful career competing at the highest levels of junior golf and we are thrilled to add another Tennessee junior golfer to our roster,” Coach Webb said.

George Saunders comes from across the pond in Southampton, England, arriving in Knoxville after back-to-back top-20 finishes at the English Men’s Amateur. His addition to the program follows a long lineage of Vol golfers who hail from the UK.

“George will bring a wealth of experience to our roster, which will be important as we will lose eight upperclassmen in the next two years,” Coach Webb said. “He has had a tremendous amount of success in amateur golf around the world, as well as college golf the last two years at Midland.”

The two are promising additions to a storied program and will get their chance to contribute next season.

NEXT: Women’s golf also announces two signings