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Tennessee Vols morning report: New women’s basketball assistants introduced

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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Happy Cinco de Mayo! With the Tennessee Vols baseball team doing so well, this is the first time in over a decade that UT sports is generating so much news this late into the academic school year. That it comes a year after COVID shut everything down makes it even weirder.

Our morning update on Rocky Top, however, is focusing on offseason news in another sport. The new look women’s basketball staff, with the same head coach, met with the media together for the first time on Tuesday.

There is news on the diamond to cover, though, as softball has a doubleheader for us to touch on. We also have individual Tennessee Vols recognitions to cover too, including a track and field award and two Vols being nominated for a scholar athlete program. Let’s touch on all of this, starting with the women’s basketball program.

Kellie Harper introduces new assistants – Maria M. Cornelius, GoVols247

On Tuesday, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball head coach Kellie Harper met with the media along with her two new assistant coaches, Samantha Williams and Joy McCorvey. Here’s a bit of what Harper said about both of them.

"“Coach Samantha Williams I’ve known for many years and really admired her and always kept up with her. I think she’s done a terrific job in every spot where she’s been. Coach Joy McCorvey, I actually did not know personally, but she’s one of those folks that when you’re out recruiting and someone walks in, you notice them. And she was that person. She was always on my short list.”"

Williams discussed her decision to leave her position as head coach of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels for an assistant job. Here’s how she described it.

"“I enjoyed my time and loved being a head coach. However, this is Tennessee, and the opportunity to continue to build what Kellie Harper is building here. This is an opportunity that I could not pass up. I’m just excited to get started.”"

McCorvey also talked about the process of heading to Rocky Top after spending the past three years as an assistant with the Florida State Seminoles. This is what she said.

"“I am grateful for Florida State and the opportunities that I had and my time there to grow as an assistant and to build relationships. But, I am super-excited to be a part of this staff, to help Kellie to continue to grow our program and to chase national championships.”"

Softball to face Mississippi State – UTSports

Coming off a sweep over the Auburn Tigers, their fourth straight SEC series win overall, the No. 16 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols softball team will take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a doubleheader Wednesday. These are two make-up games for a series that was canceled back in April. UT comes in at 38-8 and 11-7 in the SEC. MSU is 27-22 and 3-15 in the SEC.

"First pitches from Nusz Park are set for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.Fans can stream both contests on SEC Network+. SEC Network+ can be streamed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.Lady Vols fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate, or online at UTsports.com to listen to VFL Brian Rice on the call."

Track and field redshirt freshman recognized by SEC – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com

Joella Lloyd was named the SEC’s Newcomer of the Week on Tuesday for her performance in the Tennessee Challenge over the weekend. She played a huge role in UT’s 20 wins and the program’s record-setting day.

"Lloyd, a native of Bermuda and sprinter for Tennessee, received the honor after breaking a national record in the 100-meter dash at Saturday’s Tennessee Challenge in Knoxville. The mark stood for nearly three decades. Lloyd clocked a time of 11.19 seconds in the event and shattered a 28-year old record."

Two Vols nominated for post-graduate scholarship – SECSports

Matthew Butler of the Tennessee Vols football team and Chelsea Seggern of the Tennessee Lady Vols softball team are up for a key award. Both have been nominated for the SEC’s H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship by the University of Missouri.

"The H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship has been presented by the Southeastern Conference since 1986 to the league’s top male and female scholar-athletes.The Southeastern Conference will name the 2021 recipients of the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship in mid-May."