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Tennessee Lady Vols 2021-2022 season preview: Backcourt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee's Rae Burrell (12) takes a shot during an NCAA women’s basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Connecticut Huskies in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, January 21, 2021.Kns Lady Vols Uconn
Tennessee's Rae Burrell (12) takes a shot during an NCAA women’s basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Connecticut Huskies in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, January 21, 2021.Kns Lady Vols Uconn /
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Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball Coach Kellie Harper and Assistant Coach Joy McCorvey chat with Tess Darby (21) during Media Day in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, October 28, 2021.Kns Sec Media Day
Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball Coach Kellie Harper and Assistant Coach Joy McCorvey chat with Tess Darby (21) during Media Day in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, October 28, 2021.Kns Sec Media Day /

Returning backups

Jordan Horston

  • 6’2″
  • Junior
  • Columbus, Ohio

When Jordan Walker became a starter, it was at Jordan Horston’s expense. Last year, Horston started one more game, but Walker starting the final eight games put her on the other list. Still, Horston is a key rotational player and an effective starter, and she could start this year. Horston is the most explosive backcourt player. She’s elite on defense and in transition.

Even starting just half the year, Horston averaged 8.6 points, 4.16 assists, 1.44 steals and 3.9 rebounds. If Horston can cut down on her turnovers after committing 2.76 a game last year, and if she can get above 30 percent from three (28 percent last year) and 80 percent from the free throw line (72.9 percent), she has star potential this season.

Tess Darby

  • 6’1″
  • Sophomore
  • Greenfield, Tenn.

Appearing in just 10 games, Tess Darby hit eight field goals, and seven were three-pointers. With Destiny Salary gone, Darby will likely shoulder a larger role to help the Tennessee Lady Vols’ offense stretch the court. Her own experience should help with that.

Jessie Rennie

  • 5’8″
  • Junior
  • Bendigo, Australia

Kellie Harper recruited Jessie Rennie to help stretch the floor with her inside-out attack. However, Rennie hasn’t developed into that just yet. COVID limited her improvement last year, but after playing just eight minutes a game in 14 games, she should become a breakout role player now.