Tennessee Vols football kickoff times and baseball beginning the NCAA Tournament lead our Volunteers news for Friday, May 31, 2019.
Happy Friday! As May comes to an end, this is usually a time in which news surrounding the Tennessee Vols settles down. But things have been much different this May, and that continues into today.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the revelation of football kickoff times. Some of them came out Thursday, and we’re going to break them down. Meanwhile, we also have the baseball postseason to cover, something that keeps the news heavier than usual.
The arrival of a women’s basketball player and two more All-American recognition stories are also on the table for today. Those recognition stories involve softball again and now men’s and women’s tennis. But let’s start with the football news.
Kickoff times announced for first three games – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
The kickoff times for the first three games of the Tennessee Vols’ football schedule were announced Thursday. They will open the season Aug. 31 against the Georgia State Panthers at 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Following that will be a 7 p.m. game against the BYU Cougars on ESPN Sept. 7. And on Sept. 14 they will face the Chattanooga Mocs at noon on SEC Network.
"The Vols open the season with three straight home games before opening SEC play on the road at Florida in Gainesville on Sept. 21. After an open date, Tennessee faces a six-week stretch beginning with home games against Georgia (Oct. 5) and Mississippi State (Oct. 12) and a trip to Alabama (Oct. 19) preceding two more home games against South Carolina (Oct. 26) and UAB (Nov. 2) and a trip to Kentucky (Nov. 9). The Vols finish with Missouri on the road (Nov. 16) and Vanderbilt at home (Nov. 23) after a second open date."
Tennessee baseball to begin NCAA Tournament – UTSports
For the first time in over a decade, Tennessee Vols baseball team will play an NCAA Tournament game Friday. Tony Vitello’s team opens things up Friday at 7 p.m. against the Liberty Flames.
"The Volunteers enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the regional and are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2005. They will be joined by regional host and No. 14 national seed North Carolina, No. 3 seed Liberty and No. 4 seed UNC-Wilmington."
Lady Vols add Jaiden McCoy – APnews.com
The Tennessee women’s basketball team added junior college transfer Jaiden McCoy. A 6’3″ center, McCoy began summer classes by enrolling on Rocky Top Thursday.
"McCoy averaged 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds this past season at Northwest Florida State College. She played only four games in 2017-18 before breaking her hip."
Aubrey Leach earns another All-American honor – Maren Angus, Softball America
Tennessee Lady Vols softball senior infielder Aubrey Leach made another All-American team. She was named a 2019 Softball America First-Team second-baseman.
"There is a first, second, third and honorable mention with 20 players and a coaching staff on each team. The teams are broken down with four pitchers, two first basemen, two second basemen, two third basemen, two shortstops (except honorable mention), four outfielders, a utility/pitcher and a utility/non-pitcher or designated player. The All-American names were voted on between the staff of SA and an advisory committee made up of softball personnel from around the country."
ITA Tennis All-Americans announced – ITATennis.com
Four Tennessee players were named Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Americans. Timo Stodder and Preston Touliatos were named Doubles All-Americans on the men’s side, while Stodder was also named a Singles All-American. On the women’s side, Sadie Hammond and Kaitlin Staines earned Doubles All-American honors.
"The criteria for ITA All-America honors include earning a top 16 seed into the NCAA Singles Championship, advancing to the round of 16 at the NCAA Championship or finishing in the top 20 of the final Oracle/ITA Singles Rankings. All-America recognition is awarded to doubles teams that earn a top eight seed into the NCAA Championship, reach the NCAA Championship quarterfinals or finish in the top 10 in the final Oracle/ITA National Doubles Rankings. The ITA NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year will be announced the week of June 3."