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Tennessee Lady Vols’ five biggest preseason storylines for 2021-2022

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball guard Brooklynn Miles (0), guard/forward Sara Puckett (1), guard Jordan Walker (4), and forward Alexus Dye (2) during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.Kns Wbball Practice
From left, Tennessee Lady Vols basketball guard Brooklynn Miles (0), guard/forward Sara Puckett (1), guard Jordan Walker (4), and forward Alexus Dye (2) during practice in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.Kns Wbball Practice /
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Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Kellie Harper and assistant coach Samantha Williams during basketball practice in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.Kns Wbball Practice
Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Kellie Harper and assistant coach Samantha Williams during basketball practice in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.Kns Wbball Practice /

A predicted third place finish in the SEC by writers, a first-team and second-team All-SEC player each and a No. 15 ranking in the AP Poll brings plenty of expectations for the Tennessee Lady Vols in Kellie Harper’s third year. It’s the first time since Harper has been on Rocky Top that this team is in either preseason top 25.

Coming off a 17-8 season and a top 20 finish in the rankings with only one starter gone, it makes sense for those expectations to come with this team. Is UT finally returning to its rightful place atop the SEC and with the elite of women’s college basketball?

Well, if they are, they will have had to address a few issues heading into 2021-2022. Despite plenty of reasons for optimism, including one starter getting healthy, a solid recruiting class and a new elite transfer along with the returning talent, there are plenty of questions as well. Here’s a look at the Tennessee Lady Vols’ five biggest preseason storylines.

5. What impact will two new assistants have?

Continuity is a big part of any program’s success, and UT has to deal with a bit more attrition than usual this year. Harper lost two assistants from last year. Lacey Goldwire left for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and Jennifer Sullivan left to take over as head coach of the Florida Atlantic Owls. Jon Harper, Kellie Harper’s husband, is the only returning assistant coach.

To offset those losses, Harper brought in some high-profile talent. She convinced Samantha Williams to give up her head coaching role with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, which she held for two years, to come on as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Meanwhile, Joy McCorvey joins the program after one year as an assistant with the Florida State Seminoles.

Both of these coaches have tons of experience and are proven at their jobs. However, we don’t know what impact they’ll have on the Tennessee Lady Vols. Williams should help the post game become even more elite, but the chemistry is a big deal. We’ll have to see how that works out.