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Tennessee Lady Vols: Team awards for 2021-2022 women’s basketball season

By Caleb Calhoun

From left, Tennessee guard/forward Rae Burrell (12), guard Jordan Horston (25), center Tamari Key (20), guard Jordan Walker (4), and forward/center Keyen Green (13) talk during a time in in the NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Kentucky Wildcats in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sunday, January 16, 2022.Kns Lady Hoops Kentucky
From left, Tennessee guard/forward Rae Burrell (12), guard Jordan Horston (25), center Tamari Key (20), guard Jordan Walker (4), and forward/center Keyen Green (13) talk during a time in in the NCAA basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Kentucky Wildcats in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sunday, January 16, 2022.Kns Lady Hoops Kentucky /
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Tennessee guard Jordan Walker (4) and center Tamari Key (20) warming up before the start of the NCAA basketball tournament against Belmont in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 21, 2022.Ladyvols Belmont
Tennessee guard Jordan Walker (4) and center Tamari Key (20) warming up before the start of the NCAA basketball tournament against Belmont in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 21, 2022.Ladyvols Belmont /

Defensive Player of the Year: Tamari Key

Who was going to question this one? Tamari Key resumed her dominance at center, something she has shown for three years, and she took it to another level. At 6’6″, she averaged three and a half blocks a game and broke the Tennessee Lady Vols’ all-time record for career blocks. By the way, she did that with still one more year of eligibility left.

Key averaged over eight rebounds a game as well, but the story behind her all season was her presence in the post. There’s not much else we can say to tout her defensive credentials. That type of dominance on its own will earn you this award for the Tennessee Lady Vols.

Getting her fouls per game average under three was a big deal this year, but she could take even another step defensively if she cut that down more significantly. That’s why Aliyah Boston of the South Carolina Gamecocks earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year over her.

Runner-up: Jordan Walker

In many ways, Jordan Walker has been an offensive liability. However, her perimeter defense is pretty good, and she did average over a steal a game this year. Walker also averaged over two fouls a game, which is a problem, but she was a tough defender, and coming back for another season, she could really step it up next year.