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Tennessee Vols morning report: Baseball season begins

By Caleb Calhoun

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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It was a big night for Tennessee Vols athletics. The women’s basketball program had one of its biggest wins in years, and you can bet we’ll spend today talking about it. Both basketball programs made news in different ways, though, as there was a weekly presser on the men’s side.

However, the main story of our morning update on Rocky Top is the beginning of baseball season. We have stories that deal with the opening of that season and an update on what’s to come in softball this weekend. Other stories with the sports include a scheduling update in softball and another preseason watch list in baseball.

Speaking of scheduling updates, we have one to bring you in volleyball as well, and we have recaps in two sports, one involving SEC Championships and another just involving a regular season match. We’ll close with a preview of another match, so there’s plenty of news to kick off the weekend. Let’s start with a major recap.

Kellie Harper, players discuss South Carolina win – Maria M. Cornelius, GoVols247

On Thursday, the Tennessee Lady Vols women’s basketball team came back from 15 down in the second half to beat the No. 2/3 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 75-67, snapping a 31-game SEC winning streak for Dawn Staley’s program. Rennia Davis and Rae Burrell had 24 and 19 points respectively. They and Kellie Harper spoke after the game. Here is how Harper described the win.

"“I’m obviously very proud of our team and very proud of our second-half effort when we got ourselves back in the game. I’m very proud about finishing the game. That basketball team is so good. Their disciplined. They have a lot of talent and a lot of depth. They do things well on both ends of the court. I’m really proud of our team for stepping up and making plays when we had to make them. We got a huge win. I’m so happy and so proud.”"

Kim English meets with media – Rob Lewis, VolQuest

Ahead of the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team’s Saturday matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats, assistant coach Kim English met with the media Thursday. Here’s a bit of what he said about Yves Pons, Victor Bailey Jr. and John Fulkerson returning to form in their 93-73 Wednesday win over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

"“Yves had been playing well since the Missouri game at home, he had a really good four-game stretch. I think at LSU was his first game not being himself that he had kinda of establish as an all-conference forward. I think it was great for us to see Fulkerson and Bailey play well.”"

Baseball set for season-opening weekend series – WVLT

In what will be their first outing since COVID shut down the season last year, the No. 16 ranked Tennessee Vols baseball program opens 2021 up with a three-game series at the Georgia Southern Eagles this weekend, beginning Friday at 4 p.m. ET.

"The Vols will look to earn their third straight season-opening win when they square off against the Eagles on Friday. UT is 73-35-2 all-time in season openers and 2-1 under Tony Vitello."

Softball set for three straight doubleheaders – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com

At 2-0 on the year, the Tennessee Lady Vols softball program will host the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks in a doubleheader Saturday. On Sunday, they will then have another doubleheader with the Miami Redhawks. They’ve now added a third doubleheader for Monday against the Ohio Bobcats.

"Ohio and the Lady Vols were scheduled to play last weekend in Conway, South Carolina, but the Kickin’ Chicken Tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina was rained out due to inclement weather. The double-header against the Bobcats will conclude a three-day stretch for the Lady Vols."

Two baseball Vols make another preseason watch list – USA Baseball

The USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch list was revealed Thursday and featured 55 players. A pair of Tennessee Vols juniors made the list in infielder Max Ferguson and catcher  Connor Pavolony.

"Fan voting will once again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2021. Amateur baseball fans will be able to vote for their favorite players on GoldenSpikesAward.com, starting on June 8 with the naming of the Golden Spikes Award semifinalists. USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 24 and fan voting will open at GoldenSpikesAward.com concurrently, remaining open through July 2."

Volleyball series rescheduled again – UT Daily Beacon

For the second time this week, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball program’s matchup with the Ole Miss Rebels has been rescheduled. UT will now visit Ole Miss Sunday and Monday.

"The Lady Vols (6-4) look to capture their third road win of the year, and will be doing so against an Ole Miss squad that has yet to win a match in the 2020-21 season. Tennessee is coming off a series sweep versus No. 16 Mizzou at Thompson-Boling arena, while Ole Miss looks to turn its season around following a loss at the hands of Mississippi State."

Swimming and Diving finishes Day Two of SEC Championships – SECSports

Day Two of the SEC Women’s Swimming Championships ended with the Tennessee Lady Vols in fourth place and 67 points behind the Florida Gators, who are in first. Three UT players earned medals that day as well.

"Day three of the 2021 SEC Women’s Swimming Championship starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 19 with the prelims for the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breaststroke, and 100 back. The finals of the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breaststroke, 100 back and the 400 medley relay are set to begin at 6 p.m. ET."

Women’s tennis tops ETSU – UTSports

On Thursday, the No. 19 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols tennis program beat the ETSU Bucs 7-0. They moved to 6-2 on the year in the process, wrapping up non-conference play in the process, and junior Daria Kuczer has now won seven straight singles matches.

"UT started fast, winning the doubles point with three wins over ETSU (4-6). On court two, junior Tenika McGiffin and freshman Eleonora Molinaro collected the first win of the day with a 6-0 triumph over Laylo Bakhodirova and Emilia Alfaro. The pair hold a 1-1 record this season heading into SEC play."

Men’s tennis to face Georgia Saturday – GeorgiaDogs.com

Coming off a midweek win over the Charlotte 49ers and ranked No. 3 in the nation, the Tennessee Vols men’s tennis team opens SEC play in a marquee matchup Friday at the No. 12 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. The match will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Athens, Ga. Henry Feild Tennis Stadium.

"Friday’s matchup features two of the top teams in the SEC and in the nation. The Bulldogs enter the contest with a 5-0 record, while Tennessee is 11-1, with wins against No. 3 TCU and No. 5 Texas."

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