University of Tennessee Athletics
Thursday, September 4
Knoxville
6:30 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Wofford
Week Preview: Lady Vols Host Trio of Matches Against Wofford, Samford, & Winthrop
September 03, 2025 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- After splitting a pair of matches to open the season, Tennessee volleyball is back home to host a trio of matches at Food City Center.
The week kickoffs with against 2024 Southern Conference Champion Wofford on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The Big Orange are back in action with a pair of patches on Friday, Sept. 5 against Samford at 1:00 p.m. and Winthrop at 7:00 p.m. All three matches will be streamed on SECN+. For the second year in a row, The Lady Vols (1-1) broke its attendance record on opening night, with 7,654 fans packed into Food City Center to cheer them to a sweep of USF last Friday.
Doors will open one hour before each match, and fans can purchase tickets on AllVols.com. Parking is available on the top level of G-5/G-30 garage located at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Phillip Fulmer Way, directly across the street from the arena. Gate B will be the entrance for general fans, while students and player guests are encouraged to use Gate C. The clear bag policy is in effect for all matches. Additional items to know before coming out for a competition can be found on the Volleyball Gameday Page.
Another Record-Setting Crowd in Knoxville
Chapman & Williams Bring Offensive Punch in Opening Weekend
New Year, Same Mission
Tennessee volleyball heads into year eight under head coach Eve Rackham Watt, coming off a its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth overall under Rackham Watt. 11 players return from the 2024 squad that went to the tournament, led by two-time All-American Setter Caroline Kerr. Five transfers join the 2025 team, each coming with their own level of pedigree with multiple all-conference performances adding to the depth for the Lady Vols. Three freshmen join the team for 2025 as well, adding to a deep roster eying its fifth consecutive postseason appearance.
Kerr Set For Another Campaign On Rocky Top
Two-time All-American setter Caroline Kerr is back in 2025. The Champaign, Illinois eclipsed 1,000 assists for the second-consecutive year in 2024, finishing with the eighth-most assists in program history during the 25-point rally-scoring era with 1,069. This offseason Kerr represented the USA U-23 at the Pan-American Cup, helping Team USA win the gold medal at the competition. Heading into the 2025 season, Kerr has garnered multiple preseason honors. Kerr was one of 30 athletes named to the AVCA National Player of the Year Award Watch List. Kerr also garnered Preseason All-SEC honors for the second year in a row.
Who's The Next Great Tennessee Outside Under Rackham Watt
Heading into the 2025 season, the team looks to replace the production of AVCA Second Team All-American Nina Cajic. Cajic took up the mantle of the top hitter for the team in 2024, finishing the season with 4448 kills. Cajic ranked 38th nationally and eighth in the SEC in kills per set at 4.31, while ranking 29th and seventh in points per set at 4.93. Cajic finished with double-digit kills in all but two matches, including five 20+ kill performances. Head coach Eve Rackham Watt and staff have had success offensively since arriving on Rocky Top, ranking in the top 15 nationally in kills per set in three out of her seven seasons at the helm. Several returners and newcomers look to factor into the rotation for the Lady Vols as they head into the campaign. Returners like Paityn Chapman, Hayden Kubik and Kiki Granberry return after string offensive season in 2024, while transfers Brynn Williams (2024 All-Big 12 selection), Starr Williams (2024 All-Conference USA selection), and Sydney Jones (American Conference Freshman of the Year). Look to factor into the rotation as well.
The week kickoffs with against 2024 Southern Conference Champion Wofford on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The Big Orange are back in action with a pair of patches on Friday, Sept. 5 against Samford at 1:00 p.m. and Winthrop at 7:00 p.m. All three matches will be streamed on SECN+. For the second year in a row, The Lady Vols (1-1) broke its attendance record on opening night, with 7,654 fans packed into Food City Center to cheer them to a sweep of USF last Friday.
Doors will open one hour before each match, and fans can purchase tickets on AllVols.com. Parking is available on the top level of G-5/G-30 garage located at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Phillip Fulmer Way, directly across the street from the arena. Gate B will be the entrance for general fans, while students and player guests are encouraged to use Gate C. The clear bag policy is in effect for all matches. Additional items to know before coming out for a competition can be found on the Volleyball Gameday Page.
Another Record-Setting Crowd in Knoxville
For the second consecutive year, The Lady Vols set an attendance record in their season-opening game. A crowd of 7,654 were in attendance for Tennessee's opener agasint USF on Aug. 31. The previous program record for attendance came in last season's opener against Penn State, with 6,193Â fans at Food City Center. Five of the top six largest crowds came during the 2024 season. The Big Orange set a program record for total attendance and average attendance.
Chapman & Williams Bring Offensive Punch in Opening Weekend
Paityn Chapman and Brynn Williams brought some early offense for the Lady Vols to begin the season. Both lead the team in kills with 23 over those two games, with Chapman leading the squad with a .583 hitting percentage. Chapman put up a career-high scoring output during Sunday's match against Purdue, finishing with 19 kills and a .621 hitting percentage. Williams picked up her first double-digit kill effort for Tennessee against Purdue as well, finishing with 14 kills and a .400 hitting percentage. Williams led the team in kills in the season-opening sweep of USF, finishing the contest with nine.
New Year, Same Mission
Tennessee volleyball heads into year eight under head coach Eve Rackham Watt, coming off a its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth overall under Rackham Watt. 11 players return from the 2024 squad that went to the tournament, led by two-time All-American Setter Caroline Kerr. Five transfers join the 2025 team, each coming with their own level of pedigree with multiple all-conference performances adding to the depth for the Lady Vols. Three freshmen join the team for 2025 as well, adding to a deep roster eying its fifth consecutive postseason appearance.
Kerr Set For Another Campaign On Rocky Top
Two-time All-American setter Caroline Kerr is back in 2025. The Champaign, Illinois eclipsed 1,000 assists for the second-consecutive year in 2024, finishing with the eighth-most assists in program history during the 25-point rally-scoring era with 1,069. This offseason Kerr represented the USA U-23 at the Pan-American Cup, helping Team USA win the gold medal at the competition. Heading into the 2025 season, Kerr has garnered multiple preseason honors. Kerr was one of 30 athletes named to the AVCA National Player of the Year Award Watch List. Kerr also garnered Preseason All-SEC honors for the second year in a row.
Who's The Next Great Tennessee Outside Under Rackham Watt
Heading into the 2025 season, the team looks to replace the production of AVCA Second Team All-American Nina Cajic. Cajic took up the mantle of the top hitter for the team in 2024, finishing the season with 4448 kills. Cajic ranked 38th nationally and eighth in the SEC in kills per set at 4.31, while ranking 29th and seventh in points per set at 4.93. Cajic finished with double-digit kills in all but two matches, including five 20+ kill performances. Head coach Eve Rackham Watt and staff have had success offensively since arriving on Rocky Top, ranking in the top 15 nationally in kills per set in three out of her seven seasons at the helm. Several returners and newcomers look to factor into the rotation for the Lady Vols as they head into the campaign. Returners like Paityn Chapman, Hayden Kubik and Kiki Granberry return after string offensive season in 2024, while transfers Brynn Williams (2024 All-Big 12 selection), Starr Williams (2024 All-Conference USA selection), and Sydney Jones (American Conference Freshman of the Year). Look to factor into the rotation as well.
Players Mentioned
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