This might be the greatest feeling of all for the Tennessee Vols. It’s now Friday, which is always the best feeling, and UT fans are entering the weekend undefeated and in the top five after last week’s win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. They also have what should be a guaranteed, easy win set for Saturday.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with more coverage of Saturday’s matchup between the Vols and the UT-Martin Skyhawks. We have one more press conference from Thursday to recap, and we have an update on what the Vols will be wearing in this game.
Beyond football, another women’s basketball preseason awards watch list made news. Then we have recaps in soccer and swimming and diving before jumping into previews with volleyball and men’s golf. Coverage of an ongoing women’s tennis event also makes news, so let’s dive in.
Josh Heupel speaks for final time before UT-Martin – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, Tennessee Vols football head coach Josh Heupel gave his final press conference Thursday. Here’s a bit of what he said about UT-Martin.
"“Obviously offensively, you just look at the production that they’ve had. The ability to move the football, score points, it will be a great test for us on the defensive side of the football.”"
Uniform combination revealed for UT-Martin – Jack Foster, SI.com
For the second time this year, the Tennessee Vols football team will wear all orange. UT revealed the uniform combination for the Skyhawks on its Twitter account Thursday.
"The No. 3 Vols are aiming to continue their undefeated season this weekend, as win against the Skyhawks would give the Big Orange a 7-0 record.UT Martin figures to serve as an opportunity for Tennessee to flex their depth and allow banged up players to get healthy, as the Kentucky game will take place in Neyland Stadium next weekend."
Jasmin Franklin on McClain Award Watch List – HoopHall.com
Missouri State Lady Bears transfer Jasmine Franklin is the fourth Tennessee Lady Vols player on a preseason awards list. Franklin is on the 2023 Katrina McClain Awards Watch List.
"Named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award in its sixth year recognizes the top power forwards in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates."
Soccer shuts out Auburn – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com
For the fifth straight game, the Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team recorded a shutout Thursday. UT improved to 10-3-2 and 6-1-1 in SEC play with a 1-0 win over the Auburn Tigers.
"Thursday’s win at Auburn is the Lady Vols’ ninth shutout during the season. Goalkeeper Lindsey Romig recorded four saves against the Tigers.Kameron Simmonds scored in the 74th minute for Tennessee. Jenna Stayart was credited with an assist."
Swimming and diving splits at Louisville – David Rieder, Swimming World Magazine
While the Tennessee Vols men’s swimming and diving team defeated the Louisville Cardinals on the road Thursday, the Lady Vols swimming and diving team came up just short. It was a top 10 victory on the men’s side.
"The headliner for the Tennessee men was sophomore Jordan Crooks, who won a pair of individual events and helped the Volunteers to a pair of relay wins.Crooks, who tied for third at the NCAA Championships in the 50 freestyle last year as part of a huge freshman campaign, won the splash-and-dash in 19.35, one hundredth quicker than his previous season-best mark (achieved twice already this month)."
Women’s tennis completes first day of ITA Regionals – WeAreCollegeTennis
With six wins in eight singles matches and three wins in three doubles matches, the Tennessee Lady Vols tennis team had a strong first day at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division I Women’s Ohio Valley Regional Championships. Play resumes at the event Friday.
"Over 8,000 student-athletes from NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, Junior and Community Colleges compete across 85 ITA Regional Championships around the country. In Division I, regional doubles champions and regional singles champions and finalists qualify for the season-ending ITA National Fall Championships."
Volleyball set to visit Auburn – UTSports
After last Saturday’s loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball team will visit the Auburn Tigers Friday night. First serve is set for 8 p.m. ET.
"Tennessee dropped both matches in its series at Arkansas, falling 3-0 to the Razorbacks twice. Erykah Lovett carried the load for the Lady Vols as she scored 14 kills in match one and 15 in match two. She hit .275 in both meetings."
Golf set for Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols men’s golf team begins the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate in Alpharetta, Ga., Friday. This is a 54-hole event that will last through Sunday.
"The tournament is set to be played at the par-72, 7,107-yard Golf Club of Georgia Lakeside Course, which is ranked as the 24th course in the state of Georgia by Golf Digest.According to Golfweek’s collegiate rankings, seven of the 14 participating teams in the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate are ranked inside the top 20, with Tennessee being the highest ranked team in the field. The 14-team field also has six teams that competed in the 2022 NCAA Championship."