Tennessee Vols morning report: Kellie Harper talks 108-44 exhibition win

Both basketball programs’ exhibition games have taken place, and we are now set to solely focus on the start of the regular season with each of them. Combine what’s going on there with Tennessee Vols football news, and we have a ton of coverage for Thursday.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with lots of interviews. There was an administrative interview and then interviews from Vol Calls and the SEC Teleconference. Finally, we’ve got interviews off the Lady Vols basketball exhibition win from Wednesday to bring you.

Sticking with the Lady Vols, another women’s basketball ranking came out. We’ll close with previews of another postseason soccer matchup, a volleyball matchup and a couple of individuals at a women’s tennis event. So today is loaded, but we’ll start with the interviews.

Danny White talks state of UT – SportsTalk, 99.1 The Sports Animal

With his first season of athletics in full swing, Tennessee Vols athletic director Danny White did a radio interview Wednesday to talk about the state of the program. Sticking points were the NCAA investigation that still hasn’t been concluded and the debris incidents against the Ole Miss Rebels. Here’s a bit of what he said about fans throwing things on the field.

"“From what I’m told by University Police, that’s the end of the investigation. Obviously really an unfortunate incident that happened. I get how passionate our fans are. The emotion of that moment. What an unbelievable night. Just the spectacle of the stadium, the volume of that stadium. It was unbelievable all night, until that last incident. Wish we could have that one back. But I’m confident we’ll do better moving forward. I’m confident that those 25 fans, I hope they’re back next year. We want them back. I know they won’t do that again.”"

Josh Heupel talks Kentucky on SEC Teleconference – SECSports

Both Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops and Tennessee Vols football head coach Josh Heupel spoked Wednesday during the SEC Teleconference about their upcoming matchup with each other. Here’s a bit of what Heupel said about the state of the program ahead of the game.

"“Coming off a bye week, able to hopefully finish the week with some guys that are more healthy than they were previously and get some guys back from the Alabama game. Looking forward to Kentucky, a really good football team. Should be a great environment on Saturday night. A big game for us, one that our guys are really excited about going up and competing.”"

Joey Halzle joins ‘Vol Calls’ – Ryan Callahan, GoVols247

Amidst the transfer of Harrison Bailey during the bye, Tennessee Vols football quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle joined ‘Vol Calls’ as his position is down to two scholarship players. Halzle talked a lot about Hendon Hooker’s development. Here’s a bit of what he said.

"“One, I’ve seen him grow in confidence and being comfortable on the field. The thing with spring is we were learning a new offense, so as I was evaluating them on the field for the first time, I was also having to take into account that they’ve never run this before, and it’s very different from what a lot of them have done before. So just, as he’s grown comfortable and comfortable and comfortable in the offense, you’ve seen his physical talent starting to take over.”"

Kellie Harper, players recap exhibition win – UTSports

In the Tennessee Lady Vols’ basketball program’s first exhibition matchup in two years, Kellie Harper got the best of her younger brother, Russ Jolly, and his program, the Georgia College Bobcats. After the game, Harper discussed the win along with Rae Burrell, Alexus Dye and Jordan Walker. All of these press conferences are available to access via the link above.

"The Lady Vols begin their 2021-22 campaign next Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Thompson-Boling Arena with a matchup against Southern Illinois. The contest begins at 7 p.m. and will be televised on SEC Network and audio streamed on the Lady Vol Network."

Lady Vols No. 12 in Coaches Poll – USATODAY.com

More than two weeks after coming in at No. 15 in the preseason AP Poll, the Tennessee women’s basketball team came in at No. 12 in the preseason Coaches Poll. They are second among SEC teams, only behind the No. 1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks.

"The USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of head coaches at Division I schools. The panel is chosen by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association."

Soccer to continue SEC Tournament – UTSports

Two days after a 5-2 win over the Florida Gators, the No. 10 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols soccer program will take on the No. 21 ranked Ole Miss Rebels at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the SEC Tournament semifinals. UT comes in at 16-2 and 8-2 in SEC play as the No. 2 seed. Ole Miss is the No. 3 seed at 12-4-2 and 6-3-1 in the SEC. The tournament bracket can be seen here.

"The Vols have a 16-4-2 all-time advantage in the series and were victorious in the last meeting between the two teams in 2018, winning 2-0 on the road.  In SEC Tournament play against the Rebels, UT is 2-1-0.This season, the Vols are 2-0 when playing ranked opponents, with wins over #11 Auburn and at #19 South Carolina."

Volleyball to visit Florida – UT Daily Beacon

Reeling through two-game losing streak, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball program will visit the No. 23 ranked Florida Gators Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. This comes after losses to the LSU Tigers and the No. 5 ranked Kentucky Wildcats.

"Tennessee enters the match ranked No. 22 according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association with a 16-5 record. The Lady Vols have a strong 8-3 record within SEC play, but are looking to rebound from two straight set losses to No. 5 Kentucky and LSU."

Two Lady Vols set for ITA National Fall Championship – WeAreCollegeTennis.com

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Fall Championship is set to begin today. UT senior Rebeka Mertena and freshman Elza Tomase will compete in it.

"The 2021 ITA National Fall Championships will take place November 4-7, 2021, at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California. The Championships are the grand finale to the fall collegiate tennis season and feature 64 of the nation’s top collegiate singles players (32 men and 32 women) and 64 of the nation’s top collegiate doubles teams (32 men’s teams and 32 women’s teams)."