Tennessee Vols morning report: First week of practice, preseason NIT

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Vols wrapping up their first week of practice and the basketball team’s preseason NIT opponent lead our Volunteers news for Friday, Aug. 10.

Happy Friday! We wrap up the first week of the college football preseason. Two more to go before we begin game week, looking ahead to the Tennessee Vols first match-up of the season against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

All the work they are putting in ahead of time continues to lead our morning report. However, today, there’s news related to the basketball opener that’s also in our morning report. We’ll bring you that as well.

Then we have lots of updates on other sports, showing the new year is truly in full swing. There’s an exhibition opener in one sport and preseason recognition. The schedule for another sport is out. Before we get to all of that, let’s start with football.

Tennessee football finishes first week of fall camp – Ryan Callahan, GoVols247

The Tennessee Vols finished their first week of the 2018 preseason under new head coach Jeremy Pruitt. They held their first practice in pads inside due to a storm on Wednesday and then went back outside Thursday night.

"Only two periods of Thursday’s practice were open to media, but the early periods featured some tackling technique work for Tennessee’s linebackers, individual drills for the Vols’ offensive linemen, routes-on-air passing drills for their quarterbacks and wide receivers, and ball-security drills for their tight ends."

Tennessee basketball to open NIT vs. Louisville – WATE

The Tennessee men’s basketball team is set to open the preseason NIT against the Louisville Cardinals, according to CBS Sports College Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein’s Twitter account.

"The tournament starts on Nov. 21 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Kansas and Marquette are the other teams in the tournament."

Two soccer Vols earn preseason recognition – United Soccer Coaches

Tennessee Lady Vols soccer players Katie Cousins and Bunnie Shaw are both on the preseason watch list for the 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy. The award is given to the most outstanding male and female college soccer performers each year.

"A total of 44 players are included on the Women’s Watch List, headlined by 2017 finalist Jessie Fleming of UCLA and four semifinalists; Stanford junior Tierna Davidson, South Carolina junior Grace Fisk, Stanford sophomore Catarina Macario, and UCLA senior Hailie Mace."

Soccer Vols set for exhibition opener – UTSports

The 2018-2019 sports year for the Tennessee Vols is close to beginning. Women’s soccer, ranked No. 25 in the preseason, kicks things off Friday night at 6 p.m. with an exhibition at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

"Prior to Friday’s match, the Vols will host their annual Meet & Greet, open to the public. Gates will open at 4 p.m., with an autograph session scheduled to begin at 4:15. Following the autograph session, head coach Brian Pensky will introduce the team in UT’s video room."

Cross country schedule released – UTSports

The Tennessee Vols cross country schedule was released Thursday. They open 2018 on Friday, Aug. 31 in a dual meet against the Louisville Cardinals in Knoxville.

"Postseason starts Oct. 26 with the SEC Championships, which will also be hosted by Auburn. The NCAA South Regional Championships are at Florida State, and Wisconsin hosts the NCAA finals at the Zimmer Championship Course."