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Ranking all 10 returning Tennessee Lady Vols for 2022-2023

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 21, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper talks to guard Jordan Horston (25) during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper talks to guard Jordan Horston (25) during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee guard/forward Tess Darby (21) with a 3-point shot against Louisville during the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 basketball game on Saturday, March 26, 2022. in Wichita, KS.Lady Vols Louisville Ncaa
Tennessee guard/forward Tess Darby (21) with a 3-point shot against Louisville during the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 basketball game on Saturday, March 26, 2022. in Wichita, KS.Lady Vols Louisville Ncaa /

6’1″

Nobody cashed in on the injuries more than Tess Darby last year. Marta Suárez being lost for the year and Rae Burrell missing the first half of the season required Darby to step in. After two years as a role player who committed to UT out of Greenfield High School in Weakley County, Tenn., Darby found herself starting.

When Burrell came back, she remained a starter, and that resulted in a spike in production. She appeared in 33 games and averaged over 22 minutes a game, averaging just under five and a half points and nearly two and a half rebounds.

More importantly, as one of the sharpshooters for the Tennessee Lady Vols, Darby was highly efficient, going 38.3 percent from the three-point line. Threes were pretty much how she did all her scoring last year, which is why she only shot 10 free throws, but she hit all of them.

This year, Darby is likely to be the go-to sharpshooter for UT again. She and Sara Puckett effectively split that role last year, but Darby was the starter and the more efficient player given her experience. As a result, look for her to be the top wing in the program with Rae Burrell gone.