University of Tennessee Athletics
This week, Sarah Detwiler chats with junior forward Cade Phillips as Tennessee basketball gears up for the 2025 season. Phillips reflects on a fast offseason, lessons from back-to-back Elite Eight runs, and stepping into a leadership role as the most tenured Vol on the roster. He talks about the team's chemistry with five new freshmen and three transfers, the challenge of opening against Duke, and what Coach Barnes' lifetime contract means to the program. With the season fast approaching, Phillips and the Volunteers are focused on building momentum and chasing another deep postseason run.
Published on 10/29/2025
This week, Sarah Detwiler chats with Ally Brown — Tennessee's senior defender and in-state star — to reflect on an unforgettable season for the Lady Vols. From upsetting the nation's No. 1 team to climbing into the top five and posting one of the best defensive records in program history, Ally shares what's made this year so special. She talks about the team's chemistry, leadership, and focus as Tennessee pushes toward a championship finish and postseason play. A Tennessee native through and through, Ally also reflects on what it means to represent her home state and close out her Lady Vol career on such a high note.
Published on 10/29/2025
This week, Sarah Detwiler chats with Colton Hood — Tennessee's playmaking cornerback — as he reflects on the Volunteers' first bye week of the season and assesses both his own performance and the team's progress. Coming off a thrilling 41-34 overtime win at Mississippi State, Hood jump-started the team with a 23-yard pick-six, while Tennessee's defense racked up five sacks, eleven tackles for loss, and two touchdowns. Since his debut against Syracuse, Hood has emerged as a cornerstone of the secondary, earning SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors and making big plays in every game. With key matchups ahead against Arkansas, Alabama, and Kentucky, Hood and the Volunteers are focused on building momentum and continuing their electric start to SEC play.
Published on 10/29/2025
This week, Sarah Detwiler chats with Chelsea Sutton — Tennessee's all-in-one hitter and blocker — is powering the Lady Vols through an electric start to SEC play. After opening conference action with sweeps over Georgia and South Carolina, Tennessee has climbed to No. 20 in the country with an 11-1 record and record-breaking crowds at the Food City Center. Sutton has been dominant on both sides of the net, hitting .488 (third in the NCAA, first in the SEC) while leading the team with 53 blocks. With the SEC Conference Tournament returning this November in Savannah, GA, Chelsea and the Lady Vols are ready to make a big impact on and off the court.
Published on 10/29/2025
Grant Williams - Vol Hoops VFL and current Charlotte Hornet - is one of the most decorated players in Tennessee basketball history. From back-to-back SEC Player of the Year honors to a unanimous First-Team All-American nod, Williams was the leader of one of the most memorable eras of Tennessee Basketball. Now, as an NBA veteran and community leader, Grant returns to Rocky Top to reflect on his journey, share his stories, and talk about what it means to always be a VFL. We dive into Williams' time at Tennessee and how it shaped him, along with a glimpse into life in Charlotte, and why it's so important to him to stay connected to Tennessee Athletics.
Published on 10/29/2025
Shae O'Rourke — Tennessee's playmaker up top — has fought through injuries and setbacks to find her moment on Rocky Top. From her New York roots to an ACL tear at Texas A&M and another surgery this past spring, the road hasn't been easy. But every step has shaped the player she is today. In her debut, she scored both goals in the Vols' upset over No. 1 North Carolina, setting the tone for a Tennessee team now ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history.
Published on 10/29/2025
Arion Carter — Tennessee's sophomore linebacker — wasted no time reminding Vol Nation why he's one of the most dynamic defenders in college football. From Smyrna, Tennessee, to leading the Vols with nine tackles in the season-opening win over Syracuse, Carter's rise has been fueled by toughness, leadership, and pride in representing his home state. We dive into the confidence this team gained from Week 1, the balance of veteran presence and young talent on defense, and what drives Carter as both a playmaker and leader heading into the 2024 season.
Published on 10/29/2025
Joey Aguilar — Tennessee's QB1 — has taken an untraditional road to Rocky Top, marked by grit, sacrifice, and perseverance. From Antioch, California, through the JUCO grind and a stop at Appalachian State, his journey has been anything but easy — but each step shaped the leader he is today. We dive into the challenges, the gratitude, and the mindset that brought Joey to Knoxville and what it means to be at the helm of the Vols' offense.
Published on 10/29/2025
Alex Pidgeon — captain of Tennessee Rowing — joins this episode of the Everything Orange podcast. The Montreal native shares her journey from competitive swimming to rowing, starting on an erg at 16 before ever stepping into a boat — and how she went from resisting the sport to leading the Lady Vols through a historic third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Now in her senior season, Alex reflects on her transition from Canada to the SEC, what it means to wear the Orange and White, and how she's helped shape a winning team culture under head coach Kim Cupini. With the first-ever SEC Rowing Championship now in the books and NCAA Championships on deck, Alex talks leadership, legacy, and how the team is staying focused through the final push of the 2025 season.
Published on 10/17/2025
Shunsuke Mitsui stands as one of the most distinguished players in Tennessee men's tennis history, embodying resilience, consistency, and unwavering determination on Rocky Top. Born and raised in Shizuoka, Japan, Shunsuke took a leap of faith that brought him over 6,500 miles from home to Knoxville. Over four unforgettable years, he's racked up over 100 wins in both singles and doubles, earned First Team All-SEC honors every season, and helped lead the Vols to national prominence. We dive into his journey from junior Grand Slams to college tennis, the culture shock of moving to America, the legacy he hopes to leave behind, and the epic comeback win against Duke to send Tennessee to the NCAA Super Regionals.
Published on 10/17/2025
Dave Parrington — the most decorated diving coach in SEC history, a former Olympian, and the driving force behind Tennessee's decades-long diving success — is officially retiring. After 35 years on Rocky Top, Dave is closing the chapter on a legendary coaching career that includes 9 NCAA champions, 47 SEC titles, 16 SEC Coach of the Year honors, and more than 300 divers mentored under his leadership. We look back on his incredible journey from Zimbabwe to the international stage, explore the legacy he built at Tennessee, and reflect on the moments, relationships, and philosophies that shaped his unmatched career. From Olympic memories to heartfelt thank-yous, this conversation is a true celebration of a coach who made Rocky Top home.
Published on 10/17/2025
He's an NCAA champion, an Olympic finalist, a world champion, a world-record holder, and the fastest swimmer in NCAA history. But for this week, Jordan Crooks is also our guest on the Everything Orange podcast! Holding every major sprinting record in Tennessee history and having already made a global name for himself, Jordan concluded his collegiate career this last winter as one of the most decorated swimmers to ever set foot on Rocky Top. We look at Jordan's incredible four-year progression since his arrival from the Cayman Islands and examine the incredible legacy he leaves behind as he moves into the next stage of what has already been a remarkable swimming career.
Published on 10/17/2025
Sarah Schmitt — the Lady Vols' pole vault record-holder — joins us in this episode of the Everything Orange Podcast. The junior standout reflects on her journey from gymnastics to pole vault, her breakout 2023 season, and what it meant to break both the indoor (4.46m) and outdoor (4.38m) school records in the same year. With another SEC medal under her belt and a top-6 finish at NCAA Indoors, Sarah shares how she balances mental and physical toughness, the unique mindset it takes to clear big bars under pressure, and what it's like to compete on a national stage.
Published on 10/17/2025
Karlyn Pickens — the record-holder for the fastest softball pitch ever thrown — joins us in this episode of the Everything Orange Podcast. The Lady Vols star reflects on her historic 78.2 mph pitch, the support she's received at Tennessee, and how her record has made an impact towards putting women's sports on the big stage. With the team now entering the home stretch of the regular season, Karlyn also breaks down Tennessee's momentum-building wins over Oklahoma and Mississippi State, the team's mindset heading into their top-ranked showdown with Texas, and how the team embraces the grind of SEC play.
Published on 10/17/2025
Chaz Lanier — the new Tennessee record-holder for three-pointers made in a season — joins us in this episode of the Everything Orange Podcast. The Nashville native reflects on his record-setting performances and the team's relentless mindset heading into the Sweet 16 against Kentucky. He shares insights on playing under Coach Rick Barnes, the team's "It's Not About Me" philosophy, and what it takes to keep pushing forward in March Madness. Don't miss this exclusive conversation as the Vols continue their tournament run.
Published on 10/17/2025
Lady Vol Tennis has surged into the top 10 of the national rankings, and the stellar play of Catherine Aulia has been big reason why. The junior from Australia joins the Everything Orange podcast, giving us a broad look at the success of Tennessee Women's Tennis in 2025. Cat breaks down the schedule and gives us insight into the roster that's been assembled by ninth-year head coach Alison Ojeda. The back half of SEC play and the NCAA postseason still looms in the Lady Vols' upcoming schedule, but Cat's insight makes it plain why Tennessee is well-equipped to continue making noise in 2025 and beyond.
Published on 10/17/2025
It's spring football time in Tennessee! Andre Turrentine joins the podcast this week to discuss spring ball, off-season work, and reflections on his previous seasons at Tennessee - highlighted by his diving endzone interception to keep Iowa from scoring in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. From the biggest offseason focuses to standout players in the DB room, we get insight into the team's progress in working with Coach Banks. Andre discusses his journey from Nashville to Knoxville, his pride in representing Tennessee, and the excitement for his upcoming redshirt senior season.
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Published on 10/17/2025
Freshman McKenzie Siroky is an up-and-coming star for Lady Vols swimming — already etching her name amongst the top-10 times in program history for the 100 breast this season. But McKenzie's stardom didn't begin in the pool, but rather on the ice, where she was a hockey standout in her hometown of Livonia, Michigan. There she played varsity hockey on the boys high school team, eventually earning a scholarship opportunity at powerhouse Minnesota Duluth. In this episode of Everything Orange, McKenzie discusses her path back to the pool and how her unique journey has set her up for success at Tennessee and left her with Olympic-sized potential.
Published on 10/17/2025
Baseball season is upon us! With Opening Day in sight, Nate Snead joins the podcast to recap his first year on the Tennessee Baseball team and how he's gearing up to kick off the 2025 season. Nate offers a glimpse into this new roster for the Vols, this year's team chemistry, and his role on the team as they head into the new campaign. He also reflects on last year's unforgettable National Championship run - highlighting his performance closing out Game Two of the CWS Championship Series.
Published on 10/17/2025
Under Karen Weekly's leadership, Tennessee Softball has become one of the nation's most consistent and successful programs. Karen's approach has not only empowered her athletes to thrive on the field, but her Lady Vols have also shone brightly through notable academic success and community involvement. Karen's journey to coaching was an unusual one, working as a lawyer and professor before stepping into the role of co-head coach alongside her husband and Hall-of-Famer Ralph Weekly. Over a 24-year tenure on Rocky Top, Karen has fortified the Lady Vols legacy by continuing to mentor and inspire those around her, much like Pat Summitt did for her upon Karen's arrival in Knoxville.
Published on 10/17/2025
He's a living legend amongst Tennessee Basketball fans. Known for his toughness, his consistency and a knack for making the big play, Zakai Zeigler is our guest on the Everything Orange podcast. Zakai's journey from unheralded prospect as a freshman to SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior is well-documented, but in our wide-ranging conversation, Zakai reveals how his odds-defying ascension finds its footing in an unwavering faith, valuable relationships, and good old fashioned Southern hospitality.
Published on 10/17/2025
In the midst of her first season on Rocky Top, transfer senior Samara Spencer joins the podcast this week to talk all things Lady Vols Basketball. Samara discusses the new, uptempo era of the Lady Vols under head coach Kim Caldwell, wacky postgame locker room awards, and her red-hot, nine three-pointer performance vs. North Carolina Central. We wouldn't let Samara go without a round of team superlatives and she happily gave us the inside scoop on the team's best dancer, chef, trash talker and more.
Published on 10/17/2025
We're kicking of 2025 with a bang, welcoming the new Voice of the Vols to the Everything Orange podcast! After 26 legendary seasons as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Tennessee Titans, Mike Keith announced in early January that he was returning home to Rocky Top as the new voice of Tennessee Football and Tennessee Men's Basketball. The Nashville native and UT alum will make his official return to the booth in fall 2025. In this episode, Mike shares the way the Big Orange passion of his youth helped lay the foundation for his aspirations in sports broadcasting, while also noting how his relationships with John Ward and Bob Kesling through the Vol Network helped shape his decorated broadcasting career.
Published on 10/17/2025
Tis the season! For the holidays, yes. But more importantly — the College Football Playoff! With the Vols set to open CFP play this weekend, we caught up with redshirt senior wideout Bru McCoy! In a conversation rich with Rocky Top reflections, Bru looks back on the 2024 regular season and previews the upcoming playoff tilt in Columbus. He also shares his Senior Day memories before reminiscing on his new Home Sweet Home in Knoxville, Tennessee. And just for good measure — we've baked in a little holiday cheer at the top.
Published on 10/17/2025
