Knoxville, Tenn. (WVLT) – Kellie Harper’s Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team returns with four starters and 10 winners from a team that started 18-1 finished 25-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC (3rd ). The Lady Vols qualified for the NCAA Sweet Sixteen despite season-ending injuries to three key contributors.
Topping the list are All-SEC/All-America Honorable Mention guard Jordan Horston and All-SEC/All-Defensive Team center Tamari Key. Other regular contributors include returning starters point guard Jordan Walker and wing Tess Darby, along with two others with starting experience on the 2022 SEC All-Freshman wing Sara Puckett and forward All- 2021 SEC Freshman Marta Suarez.
The Lady Vols also bring on board four talented transfers and a five-star freshman, including starters and former performers from all leagues in forward Rickea Jackson (Mississippi State), power forward Jasmine Franklin (Missouri State) and point guard Jasmine Powell (Minnesota), along with a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans in sophomore transfer forward Jillian Hollingshead (Georgia) and true freshman winger Justine Pissott.
With a 16-man program on the roster, all but Jessie Rennie participated in drills. The main guard was working with women’s basketball athletic performance director Bryan Tatum and continued to rehabilitate her knee after undergoing surgery over the summer.
The Lady Vols, who are ranked No. 4 on ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ Top 25, will make their Thompson-Boling Arena debut on Oct. 30 as they host Carson-Newman in an off competition. Tennessee opens the campaign on the road at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 8 at Ohio State (Big Ten Network) and hosts UMass at Rocky Top for the home opener on Nov. 10.
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