Post by Friday on Jan 2, 2022 15:26:50 GMT -5
Thanks to vbshrink for the leg work. Decided it is time this team had its own thread.
Tennessee
2021 Recap: The Lady Vols looked extremely strong in the middle of the season, got a little wobbly (losing to Mizzou?!?!?), but finished fairly strong to make it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament, bowing out to a homestanding Ohio State team that was pretty solid. Coach Rackham got a lot out of a very experienced, senior-laden squad that left a strong legacy in Knoxville. Natalie Heyward led the team very effectively, earning SEC recognition along the way, and do-everything Lily Felts seemed to be the perfect counterpoint to high-flying, hard-swinging Brianna Runnells. When they were clicking, the Vols were really fun to watch.
Key Returners: I said “senior-laden,” right? Because the main significant contributors who are coming back boil down to 6’1” OPP Morgan Finghall (Sr), reserve 5’9” S/DS Kya Moore (Jr) and liberos Madison Bryant (Sr) and Paola Laborda (R-Jr). OH Jasmine Brooks (6’2” Jr) was used some, but not as much as in previous seasons. Other than that, the remainder of the Lady Vol roster is fairly inexperienced, with no returning players having seen action in more that 10 sets all season.
Departures: I don’t think anyone loses more that the Lady Vols in terms of production and experience. Players that are for sure done are OH Briana Runnells and MB Nicole Shanahan. Although this could change, it looks like they will also be saying goodbye to OH Lily Felts, S Natalie Hayward, MB Danielle Mahaffey, and MB Ava Bell (that’s the starting line up, minus the L, folks), along with OH/MB Rocky Perinar and DS Gianna Pellizzon. Update Felts has put her name in the portal to use her COVID year. Update #2: Some chatter that some of the TN seniors may in fact be returning - Hawyard, possibly, and maybe Bell and/or Mahaffey. Watch this space. Update #3: Izzy Durnell (I’m assuming she’s as R-Fr) has placed her name in the transfer portal.
Newcomers: The LV’s had a huge (HUGE) roster this past year (if folks remember, there were some off-season rumors of grumbling among last year’s freshman about how few opportunities for playing time there might be, exacerbated by the arrival via transfer of Runnells). But I digress. This year, the Rasslin’ (Rootin’ Tootin’?) Rackams will add four high school recruits, 6’ OH Kadynce Boothe (PV #139), 6’3” MB Keondreya Granberry (PV #88), 5’11” S Caroline Kerr (PV #82), and L Kenady Roper, along with at least one transfer, OH 5’11” Erykah Lovett from LBSU.
2022 Outlook: It certainly seems like 2022 will be a rebuild after the senior dominated squad that Tennessee put on the court this year. Finghall seemed dominant early in the season, then either she lost some mojo or teams figured out how to defend her better. LaBoarda and Bryant are both solid defensive pieces, but between the newcomers and folks who were buried on the bench this year (e.g., OH/RS Emily Merrick, OH Ashllyn King, OH/RS Izzy Durnell, MB Klaudia Pawlick), LV fans are going to hope there are some folks who are ready to make the jump to significant playing time.
Tennessee
2021 Recap: The Lady Vols looked extremely strong in the middle of the season, got a little wobbly (losing to Mizzou?!?!?), but finished fairly strong to make it to the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament, bowing out to a homestanding Ohio State team that was pretty solid. Coach Rackham got a lot out of a very experienced, senior-laden squad that left a strong legacy in Knoxville. Natalie Heyward led the team very effectively, earning SEC recognition along the way, and do-everything Lily Felts seemed to be the perfect counterpoint to high-flying, hard-swinging Brianna Runnells. When they were clicking, the Vols were really fun to watch.
Key Returners: I said “senior-laden,” right? Because the main significant contributors who are coming back boil down to 6’1” OPP Morgan Finghall (Sr), reserve 5’9” S/DS Kya Moore (Jr) and liberos Madison Bryant (Sr) and Paola Laborda (R-Jr). OH Jasmine Brooks (6’2” Jr) was used some, but not as much as in previous seasons. Other than that, the remainder of the Lady Vol roster is fairly inexperienced, with no returning players having seen action in more that 10 sets all season.
Departures: I don’t think anyone loses more that the Lady Vols in terms of production and experience. Players that are for sure done are OH Briana Runnells and MB Nicole Shanahan. Although this could change, it looks like they will also be saying goodbye to OH Lily Felts, S Natalie Hayward, MB Danielle Mahaffey, and MB Ava Bell (that’s the starting line up, minus the L, folks), along with OH/MB Rocky Perinar and DS Gianna Pellizzon. Update Felts has put her name in the portal to use her COVID year. Update #2: Some chatter that some of the TN seniors may in fact be returning - Hawyard, possibly, and maybe Bell and/or Mahaffey. Watch this space. Update #3: Izzy Durnell (I’m assuming she’s as R-Fr) has placed her name in the transfer portal.
Newcomers: The LV’s had a huge (HUGE) roster this past year (if folks remember, there were some off-season rumors of grumbling among last year’s freshman about how few opportunities for playing time there might be, exacerbated by the arrival via transfer of Runnells). But I digress. This year, the Rasslin’ (Rootin’ Tootin’?) Rackams will add four high school recruits, 6’ OH Kadynce Boothe (PV #139), 6’3” MB Keondreya Granberry (PV #88), 5’11” S Caroline Kerr (PV #82), and L Kenady Roper, along with at least one transfer, OH 5’11” Erykah Lovett from LBSU.
2022 Outlook: It certainly seems like 2022 will be a rebuild after the senior dominated squad that Tennessee put on the court this year. Finghall seemed dominant early in the season, then either she lost some mojo or teams figured out how to defend her better. LaBoarda and Bryant are both solid defensive pieces, but between the newcomers and folks who were buried on the bench this year (e.g., OH/RS Emily Merrick, OH Ashllyn King, OH/RS Izzy Durnell, MB Klaudia Pawlick), LV fans are going to hope there are some folks who are ready to make the jump to significant playing time.
