Tennessee Lady Vols’ 2022-23 preview: Backcourt

Tennessee guard/forward Tess Darby (21) with the 3-point shot 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
Tennessee guard/forward Tess Darby (21) with the 3-point shot 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
3 of 5
Tennessee guard/forward Sara Puckett (1) celebrates during a time out as the Tennessee Lady Vols maintain a lead against Belmont Bruins during the NCAA basketball tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 21, 2022.Ladyvols Belmont
Tennessee guard/forward Sara Puckett (1) celebrates during a time out as the Tennessee Lady Vols maintain a lead against Belmont Bruins during the NCAA basketball tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. on Monday, March 21, 2022.Ladyvols Belmont

Returning backups

Sara Puckett

  • 6’2″
  • Sophomore
  • Muscle Shoals, Ala.

As Tess Darby’s backup, Sara Puckett played just as much of a role for the Tennessee Lady Vols on the wing. They were less than a minute apart in terms of averages per game. Puckett averaged nearly six and a half points a game, and while she shot just 29.9 percent from three, she came on late. Because of that, she should be a much bigger threat this year.

Brooklynn Miles

  • 5′ 4″
  • Sophomore
  • Frankfort, Ky.

Backing up Jordan Walker at point guard, Brooklynn Miles provided lots of sparks as a freshman last year. She was kind of like Zakai Zeigler on the other side. Miles averaged two and a half points, two assists and nearly one steal a game in just 19.6 minutes of play, and she could be elite off the bench this year.

Jessie Rennie

  • 5’8″
  • Senior
  • Bendigo, Australia

Recruited as a sharpshooter three years ago, Jessie Rennie has never really lived up to that hype yet. Last year she averaged under five minutes a game and played just 21 games, shooting 2-of-17 from outside on the year. If she can ever take that leap, though, the Tennessee Lady Vols could be dangerous offensively.

Kaiya Wynn

  • 6’0″
  • Sophomore
  • Richmond, Texas

Another freshman last year, Kaiya Wynn averaged over eight minutes a game and appeared in 30 games. She averaged just under two and a half points a game. It’s likely she’ll be in a reserve role once again this year, but with more development, she could be valuable.