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Tennessee Lady Vols player awards for 2019-2020 season

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: Tennessee Volunteers fans hold up a cardboard photo of women's basketball coach Pat Summitt during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 21, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Connecticut 60-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: Tennessee Volunteers fans hold up a cardboard photo of women's basketball coach Pat Summitt during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 21, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Connecticut 60-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

Defensive player of the year

Tamari Key

Freshman; Center; 6’5″

While Jordan Horston was the most valuable freshman overall, Tamari Key was the top defensive freshman for the Tennessee Lady Vols, and she was actually the top defensive player on the team. The center earning this recognition as a true freshman is just one of many ways this program appears to have an extremely bright future under Kellie Harper.

Key earned this award for the same way Yves Pons earned it on the men’s side. She became a block machine. In just over 18 minutes of action per game, Key averaged just under three blocks, finishing with 86 on the year. That’s an insane amount, and her ability to deny the paint alone is enough for us to give her this award.

Now, she could improve her ability to stretch out to the perimeter as a defender, and her rebounding does need to improve. But her ability to alter shots and deny the post game for opposing offenses is already in place, and it was enough to earn her this award already.

Men's basketball awards for Vols 2019-2020 season. light. Related Story

DPOY runner-up: Jordan Horston

Freshman; Guard; 6’2″

Yes, Jordan Horston and Tamari Key simply swapped spots from the newcomer award. Horston was the aggressive perimeter defender and deserves credit for that. She led the team in steals with 39 on the year, and she was actually second on the team in blocks with 25 on the year. So Horston was a very crucial defensive player, which is why she also makes this list.