Post by Friday on Feb 15, 2023 18:33:38 GMT -5
Tennessee Volleyball 2023
Seniors
Jasmine Brooks 6'2 OH Toney, AL
Raevan Chase 6'5 MB Toronto, Canada
Morgahn Fingall 6'1 RS Fairfax, VA
JaKya Moore 5'9 DS Knightdale, NC
Jenaisya Moore 6'0 OH Germantown, MD
Kylie Robinson 5'10 S Upland, CA
Yelianiz Torres 5'7 L Vega Baja, PR
Lauren Woodford 5'8 S Edina, MN
Juniors
Abby Ekeler 5'10 DS Flower Mound, TX
Ashlyn King 6'1 DS Murfreesboro, TN
Erykah Lovett 5'11 OH Newnan, GA
Sophomores
Emily Beeker 6'5 MB Hendersonville, NC
Kadynce Boothe 6'1 OH Kernersville, NC
Kiki Granberry 6'3 MB Winter Garden, FL
Klaudia Pawlik 6'6 MB Hansk, Poland
Freshmen
Katie Barrier 5'5 L Nashville, TN
Kamille Gibson 6'0 OH Cross Roads, TX
Sydney Jaynes 6'0 L/OH Northfield, MN
Caroline Kerr 5'11 S Champaign, IL
Mackenzie Plante 6'2 OH Drippings Springs, TX
Cate Schnell 6'1 OH/DS San Diego, CA
Thanks to vbshrink for recap.
2022 Recap: Injuries were unkind to the Lady Vols this season, as both Morghan Fingall and especially Danielle Mahaffey missed time (Mahaffey only saw action in 10 matches all season). When they were both full strength, the Vols looked like an almost entirely different team, at least for a while. The LV’s season was a roller coaster in terms of results, and a very tough early schedule (Purdue, Ohio State, Pitt, WKU) didn’t do them any real favors when they turned around and lost to Bowling Green and Colgate (COLGATE?!?!). The SEC slate was also pretty mixed, with losses to TAMU and Alabama mixed in with sweeps of Mississippi State and LSU. In retrospect, looking over their schedule, it’s a bit of a surprise that they made the tournament (SOS?), because LSU looks like their best win all season. But make it they did, and they played a strong Purdue team tough before losing in 5 in the 1st round. The post-season got off to a pretty rocky start when former DS Paula Laborda took to social media to accuse the coaching staff of psychological abuse and cultural insensitivity.
Departures: After returning for their COVID years, S Natalie Hayward and MB Danielle Mahaffey are out of eligibility. Starting OPP Morghan Fingall, backup S Kylie Robinson, and DS Abigail Matoso were also recognized on Senior Day, but Fingall and Robinson have already announced their return. As noted above, DS Laborda has entered the portal, as has 6’4” RS-Jr OPP Emily Merrick (grad transfer).
Key Returners: In addition to COVID Srs Fingall (OPP) and Robinson (S), who are the presumptive starters at their positions, the Wrasslin’ Rackhams are expected to return OHs Erykah Lovett (Jr), Kadynce Booth (Soph), and Jasmine Brooks (Sr). In the middle 6’3” SEC All-Freshman Keondraya Granberry is back, along with RS-Sophs 6’5” Emily Beeker and 6’6” Klaudia Pawlik. Starting L Ashllyn King returns, along with DSs JaKya Moore (Sr) and Abby Ekeler (Jr).
Newcomers: Rich Kern identifies 5 Tennessee commits for 2023, but to date, only 3 have been announced by the school. These include DS/L Sydney Jaynes (PV #44), 6’1” OH Mackenzie Plante (PV #120), and 6’ OH Kamille Gibson. The other 2 unannounced commits listed on RK include 6’1” OH Cate Schnell (whose Insta account includes posts about her signing), and DS/L Katie Barrier.
2023 Outlook: Losing Hayward and Mahaffey is going to hurt, but Robinson will finally get her chance to shine in Knoxville and shake the bad memories of her time in Eugene. The LV’s will have to hope that either Pawlik or Beeker is ready to step into the MB spot that Mahaffey is leaving, or they’ll have to pull in a transfer. Between Brooks, Lovett, and Booth, there ought to be some consistent production on the pins, right? If not, perhaps they’re counting on a newcomer to provide what’s missing. I really like Fingall, but I’m not entirely sold on what looks like the 2023 edition of the Lady Vols just yet, and I am curious about how Laborda’s parting accusations might affect (or not) the program. I kind of see the Eastern Orange Empire holding steady in the upper middle of the conference.
Portal news: The Lady Vols announced the addition of Bowling Green L Yelianiz Torres. Also added for the fall OH Jenaisya Moore from Ohio State and S Lauren Woodford from Syracuse. Added MB Raeven Chase from Eastern Michigan.
