Tennessee Vols morning report: Willie Martinez, Christian Charles talk spring practice
Spring practice is beginning to wind down for the Tennessee Vols football team, as they are getting set for their final scrimmage of the period. Another practice was held in preparation for that on Wednesday, and the focus became about a specific position.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with multiple interviews with people involved in UT football’s secondary. That includes one of the coaches and one of the players. Football also made news with a specific player earning national recognition.
Beyond the gridiron, there is a softball recap and ongoing coverage of a women’s golf event to bring you. We then have SEC recognition to cover in swimming and diving and men’s and women’s tennis, so there’s plenty to address. Let’s start with football, though.
Willie Martinez talks spring ball – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
With Kamal Hadden, Brandon Turnage, Warren Burrell and De’Shawn Rucker all out during spring practice and Wesley Walker not arriving until the summer, Tennessee Vols football secondary coach Willie Martinez was able to experiment a lot with backups in these practices. He addressed the limitations Wednesday. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“For us, we’re kind of used to it, meaning we were always going to try and we want a versatile secondary, so we’ll try guys at different positions. We haven’t changed from the standpoint of when we first got here. We want to see who can play the different spots and we’re going to do that in practice anyway.”"
Christian Charles talks versatility – Austin Price, VolQuest
Rising sophomore defensive back Christian Charles has been seeing time at safety and cornerback during spring ball for Tennessee football. On Wednesday, he discussed his versatility. Here’s what he said about playing each position.
"“Like corner, it’s more mano a mano, like me versus you every single play. At safety, you’re able to get around the ball a little bit more, make more tackles, things like that. I love playing both. I wouldn’t say I have a favorite."
Matthew Butler earns NFF recognition – FootballFoundation.org
For the seventh straight year, the Tennessee Vols football team had a player named to National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society. This year, Matthew Butler made the list.
"An elite group of 1,559 players from 313 schools qualified for membership in 2022, the Society’s 16th year. The 1,559 honorees are the second most in a single year during the program’s history. The initiative has now honored 14,640 student-athletes since its inception."
Softball tops Western Carolina – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com
It took just five innings and five home runs, which tied a season high, for the Tennessee Lady Vols softball team to put away the Western Carolina Catamounts on the road Wednesday night. UT improved to 27-12 overall, remaining 8-6 in the SEC with a visit from the Texas A&M Aggies set for this weekend.
"Ivy Davis and McKenna Gibson each homered twice and drove in three runs against the Catamounts.Kiki Milloy also had a solo home run and a two-run single."
Women’s golf finishes first day of SEC Championships – UTSports
At 17-over, the Tennessee Lady Vols golf team finished the first day of SEC Championships in 12th place. Play resumes Thursday and will last through Sunday.
"Senior Mikayla Bardwell started the day strong and shot 1-under on the front nine, while sophomore Kayla Holden was +2. The pair ended the day tied for 33rd place at 3-over (75)."
Two Lady Vols recognized by SEC in Swimming and Diving – SECSports
Matt Kredich earned SEC Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year, and Ellen Walshe earned SEC Female Freshman Swimmer of the Year. They were the only two Tennessee Vols or Lady Vols recognized in the Southeastern Conference Swimming and Diving postseason awards, which were released Wednesday.
"For the All-SEC Teams, the First Team consists of the top finisher in each event at the SEC Championships, and the Second Team consists of the second- and third-place finishers in each event. The All-Freshman Teams consist of any redshirt or true freshman who finished either in the top eight or is the highest scoring freshman of each event at the SEC Championships, excluding relay events."
Kylie Duckworth named to SEC Community Service Team – UTSports
Senior Kylie Duckworth of the Tennessee Lady Vols tennis team represented Rocky Top on the SEC Community Service Team, which was revealed Wednesday. It’s the second year in a row Duckworth earned the award.
"Duckworth logged 42 and a half hours of community service in her final year on Rocky Top. She spent 28 and a half hours volunteering with Amedisys Hospice, while also working with the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, the Knoxville Area Rescue Mission and Project Life."
Shunsuke Mitsui named SEC Men’s Tennis Freshman of the Week – SECSports
Despite the Tennessee Vols losing 4-3 to the Kentucky Wildcats last Friday, Shunsuke Mitsui was named the SEC Men’s Tennis Freshman of the Week. It was the second time this season Mitsui earned the award.
"Tennessee’s Shunsuke Mitsui continues to impress in his debut season, logging a perfect 3-0 record over the previous weekend ,including a ranked singles win at No. 12 Kentucky and a match-clinching victory Sunday at Vanderbilt. In singles action at Kentucky Friday, freshman Shunsuke Mitsui earned a top-100 win on court four, tying the match at 2-2 with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) over Kentucky’s #95 Musitelli."