Tennessee Lady Vols’ projected 2022-2023 starring lineup

Center – Tamari Key

There’s obviously no doubt about Tamari Key here. She had somewhat of a breakout season for the Tennessee Lady Vols in 2021-2022, averaging 10.5 points and just over eight rebounds. At 6’6″, though, her real strength was blocking shots, as she averaged three and a half a game.

Key has already broken Candace Parker’s school record for career blocks, and she has another whole year left to play. Last year, she had trouble being as effective late, as injuries put a lot on her and Alexus Dye alone to be effective in the post. She has more depth backing her up this year and replacements for Dye, so if she develops even more, she could be a superstar.

Backup No. 1: Jillian Hollingshead

Part of the depth to help Key out will be Jillian Hollingshead. Kellie Harper secured Hollingshead as a transfer from the Georgia Bulldogs, and she averaged five points and two and a half rebounds off the bench as a freshman last year. At 6’5″, she’ll back up Key this year, and then she’ll be destined to step in when Key leaves.

Backup No. 2: Karoline Striplin

With Hollingshead now on Rocky Top, Karoline Striplin will be pushed to third-team. However, with Emily Saunders gone, she has a path forward to become an effective center at 6’3″, and she only played seven minutes a game last year anyway, so her production may still increase.

Given this depth chart, the Tennessee Lady Vols are clearly deep. Eight players were regular starters somewhere over the last two years, and another three were Second Team players. Add in a five-star recruit, and this team is loaded. There’s a reason national title expectations are back.