Spring sports roundup: Lady Vols edge Tide in opener

Source: The Tennessean

A two-run single by Cheyanne Tarango and strong efforts from both Renfroe sisters led Tennessee (48-10) to a 3-2 win over defending national champion Alabama (45-14) in the opening game of an NCAA Super Regional in Knoxville on Friday.

UT has qualified eight for NCAA track after two days

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee has qualified eight for the NCAA track and field championships, including three in the men’s pole vault, after two days of the NCAA East Regional in Greensboro, N.C.

Ivy Renfroe provides relief for Lady Vols, 3-2

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

When Ellen Renfroe wavered, Ivy Renfroe entered, shutting down the defending national champions and leading Tennessee to the brink of the Women’s College World Series.

Ivy Renfore provides relief for Lady Vols, 3-2

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

When Ellen Renfroe wavered, Ivy Renfroe entered, shutting down the defending national champions and leading Tennessee to the brink of the Women’s College World Series.

Softball. Postgame Quotes: UT 3, UA 2

Source: Volunteers Official Site

Postgame quotes for game 1 of 2013 Knoxville Super Regional

Tennessee Recruiting: Kendal Vickers Gives Vols A Late 2013 Class Surprise

Source: Rocky Top Talk by Brad Shepard

SEC-caliber defensive linemen eligible to play immediately are rarely available at this point of the year.

So, when one of them fell into the Tennessee Volunteers' laps this week for the second year in a row, it was an unexpected and welcome gift. Now, the Vols just hope this one turns out better than the last one.

Havelock, N.C. defensive end Kendal Vickers -- a 6-foot-3, 240-pound pass-rusher who'd been committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks for more than six months -- visited UT this week and told GoVols247 he'll sign with the Vols when he returns home next week.

At the beginning of the week,

Football. Big Orange Caravan Makes Final Stop

Source: Volunteers Official Site

The Big Orange Caravan wrapped up in Nashville on Thursday night to yet another sell out crowd.

Track & Field, Cross Country. Brown Shines As UT Adds Three To NCAA Meet

Source: Volunteers Official Site

Lady Vol freshman sprinter Felicia Brown highlighted Friday's NCAA East Preliminary Round action, as the Tennessee track & field program produced NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifiers in three events and sent two into tomorrow's National Quarterfinals at Irwin Belk Track at North Carolina A&T State University.

Softball. Tarango's Key Hit Lifts UT Over Tide 3-2

Source: Volunteers Official Site

A key two-out, two-run single by Cheyanne Tarango and strong efforts in the circle from both Renfroe sisters led Tennessee to a 3-2 win over defending national champion Alabama in the opening game of the NCAA Super Regional at Lee Stadium on Friday.

Erica Popson ties for 29th at NCAA to finish UT career

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Senior Erica Popson closed out her career at Tennessee finishing in a tie for 29th at the NCAA women’s golf championships in Athens, Ga.

Softball. Tarango's Key Hit Lifts UT Over Tide, 3-2

Source: Volunteers Official Site

A key two-out, two-run single by Cheyanne Tarango and strong efforts in the circle from both Renfroe sisters led Tennessee to a 3-2 win over defending national champion Alabama in the opening game of the NCAA Super Regional at Lee Stadium on Friday.

"The Joys of Being a 'Geezer'"

Source: The Volunteer Historian by Tom Mattingly

One thing about being older, a "geezer" even, is that you have a great many more memories of seeing things live and in person than many of the younger folks can only see on film or videotape.

That's why the (much younger) kids you know might look at you funny when you talk about seeing Archie Manning play in person, more than 40 years ago this November, not to mention likewise seeing son Peyton.

That's why kids look at you funny as you recall seeing Condredge Holloway do his thing on gridirons across the south nearly 40 years ago this fall.

They really look at you funny when you remember the Giants and Colts playing in black and white at Yankee Stadium in 1958 on one of those televisions with a small screen wrapped up in a big cabinet.

That's why they yawn when you say you've seen every Alabama game home or away since 1966, every home game against the Tide since 1958.

When you mention the single-wing, their eyes tend to glass over, wondering exactly what that was and really having no clue.

There's nothing better than having been there for more than 50 years, wherever "there" is.

We may be geezers, but we're geezers with a pedigree, geezers with a history.

Friday, May 24, 2013

W. Golf. Popson Closes Out UT Career

Source: Volunteers Official Site

Senior Erica Popson closed out her career at Tennessee finishing in a tie for 29th at the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga.

Vols add late 2013 signee - Tennessee [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Mikelis Libietis, Hunter Reese upset in NCAA doubles

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

In an up-and-down match, top-seeded Mikelis Libietis and Hunter Reese of Tennessee were upset 7-6 (5), 7-5 by Chris Camillone and David Holiner of Texas in the second round of the NCAA men’s doubles championships on Friday in Urbana, Ill.

M. Tennis. Libietis, Reese's NCAA Run Ends

Source: Volunteers Official Site

The Tennessee Volunteers' 2013 tennis season officially came to a close Friday at Atkins Tennis Center with a loss in the NCAA Doubles Championships.

W. Tennis. Lady Vols Move On To NCAA Quarterfinals

Source: Volunteers Official Site

The No. 4 seeded Lady Vol tennis duo of Brynn Boren and Kata Szekely fought hard Friday afternoon to continue their NCAA Doubles Championship run with a three-set victory over Pepperdine.

Tennessee vs Alabama Softball Super Regional Open Thread

Source: Rocky Top Talk by Will Shelton

So we're getting pretty good at this softball thing by now; I know Lady Vol basketball should have a monster year next season, but right now I'd wager Lady Vol softball has as good a chance as any other program on campus to win a championship, if not better. The LVs are the 7 seed in this year's NCAA Women's Softball Tournament, and will host the hated 10 seed Crimson Tide today and tomorrow for the right to advance to the Women's College World Series.

Tennessee took two of three from Alabama earlier this year in Knoxville. The LVs finished second in the SEC behind the Florida Gators; to show you the strength of the league, six of the sixteen teams left

Debating cross-divisional rivalries

Source: SEC Football Blog

It sounds like the SEC is trying to get everything in order to be able to announce the 2014 schedule next week at the spring meetings in Destin, Fla. At this point, it’s doubtful that the league will go to nine conference games in 2014, although I think that is inevitable down the road. What is most intriguing to me about the whole schedule debate is whether or not permanent cross-divisional rivalries will survive. Really, the two that are soaked in tradition and are probably worth fighting for are Alabama-Tennessee and Auburn-Georgia.

48 student-athletes graduate from Tennessee

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

The University of Tennessee has announced that 48 student-athletes have fulfilled graduation requirements. Here is a list of spring 2013 graduates:

SEC's toughest three-game stretches

Source: SEC Football Blog

We'll be taking a closer look in the coming weeks at every SEC school's 2013 schedule with our annual schedule analysis. In just about every schedule in this league, there’s an ominous three-game stretch somewhere along the way. Who faces the most difficult three-game stretch next season in the SEC? We’ve selected the top five, and for clarification, it has to be three games in three successive weeks without a bye. So here goes: 1.

Average GPA for UT teams is 3.05

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee announced Friday that the average grade-point average during the spring semester for all athletes was 3.05, including 21 who earned a perfect 4.0.

UT trainer Jenny Moshak to speak to Knoxville Writer's Guild

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Jennifer Moshak, athletic trainer of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team and author of “Ice n Go: Score in Sports and Life,” will speak at the Thursday, June 6, meeting of the Knoxville Writers’ Guild.

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Finishes Semester With 3.58 GPA

Source: Volunteers Official Site

With 11 of 12 Lady Vols over the 3.0 mark, the Tennessee volleyball team recorded its sixth-consecutive semester with at least a 3.30 overall team grade-point average (GPA) this spring, finishing the 2012-13 academic year with a department-best 3.58 GPA.

This Week in Big Orange Country - Tennessee (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Next week, the Vol football team returns to Knoxville and begins their summer workout plan with strength coach Dave Lawson. As May comes to a close, it ends with continued momentum after a highly successful Big Orange Caravan. We discuss those things and more in this week's podcast.

Video: Mark Stoops on Kentucky's spring

Source: SEC Football Blog

Edward Aschoff talks with Kentucky's Mark Stoops about lessons from his first spring as a head coach.

RecruitingNation links: SEC edition

Source: SEC Football Blog

DawgNation From Kipp Adams : While Georgia is still in the running for these five recruits, the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them. More from Adams : Florida’s loss could be Georgia’s gain after Christian Miller reopened his recruiting. But the ESPN 150 linebacker will be taking his time with this pick. TideNation From Alex Scarborough and Greg Ostendorf : Cornerback, pass-rusher and offensive line are areas at which Alabama excels, but they are also huge positions of need for the Tide in the 2013 recruiting class.

M. Golf. The Aussie Ace

Source: Volunteers Official Site

As the Tennessee men's golf team prepares for the NCAA Championship, let's take a look at one of the reasons for the Vols' recent success, Oliver Goss. FULL ARTICLE

SEC lunch links

Source: SEC Football Blog

We wrap up the week with a few Friday links: SI.com's Andy Staples examines what would be the best approach for the SEC's new schedule models. The Florida-Miami game next season on Sept. 7 has been set for a noon kickoff on ESPN. Florida lands a commitment from tight end Cyontai Lewis of Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Gators now have eight commitments for the 2014 class. Butch Jones is quickly winning over Tennessee fans, writes David Climer of The Tennessean.

Football. VFL Dick Evey Passes Away at 72

Source: Volunteers Official Site

Dick Evey, a letterman on the Tennessee football and track teams from 1961-63, died Thursday at the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home after a debilitating illness. He was 72.

W. Volleyball. UT Graduates 48 Student-Athletes

Source: Volunteers Official Site

With the institution's final degree certification process now complete, the University of Tennessee announced that 48 student-athletes have fulfilled graduation requirements. PHOTOS

Track & Field, Cross Country. UT Graduates 48 Student-Athletes

Source: Volunteers Official Site

With the institution's final degree certification process now complete, the University of Tennessee announced that 48 student-athletes have fulfilled graduation requirements. PHOTOS

General News. UT Graduates 48 Student-Athletes

Source: Volunteers Official Site

PHOTOS Gallery

Gamecocks setting pace in division games

Source: SEC Football Blog

We know by now that Steve Spurrier would like to see only divisional games count in determining which teams advance to the SEC championship game every year. It’s worth noting that the Gamecocks are 14-2 in the Eastern Division over the past three seasons, which is the best divisional record in the league during that span. The only two East teams South Carolina has lost to over the past three years were Florida on the road last season and Kentucky on the road during the 2010 season.

Video: SEC's most improved players

Source: SEC Football Blog

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel and Auburn cornerback Chris Davis are Chris Low's picks as two of the most improved players in the SEC in 2013.

ZACH AZZANNI MIC’d UP

Source: Loser With Socks by Vol Deeper

Things are changing. I guess we now know why Butch Jones has not received Nick Saban’s seal of approval as the head coach of the University of Tennessee. Fear.

Poll: SEC's must-see game in 2013

Source: SEC Football Blog

OK, everybody, be honest. Who picked Alabama vs. Texas A&M as the must-see game in the SEC this time a year ago? It probably wouldn't have been among my top five choices before the season began. But in retrospect, no game in the league was more compelling last season than the Aggies' 29-24 win over the then-No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. Johnny Manziel was sensational and Deshazor Everett came up with the big interception late to seal it for the Aggies, who looked right at home in their first season in the SEC.

Football. Vols Jersey Countdown #99

Source: Volunteers Official Site

There are 99 days until its Football Time In Tennessee! Who is your favorite Vol Football player to wear #99?

100 Days of Vols #99 - The 1986 Sugar Bowl/"The Sweet Taste Of Sugar"

Source: Rocky Top Talk by Brad Shepard

The beat-up old VHS still sits in the faux-wood tape deck at my parents' house, watched so many times and worn out to the point that it wouldn't play even if they still owned a recorder. A white strip of adhesive adorns its face where the words "1985 Sugar Bowl: Tennessee 35, Miami 7" and, underneath, "The Sweet Taste of Sugar," written in red ink in my father's neat scrawl.

Ink smears and food stains have become lifelong residents on that sticky paper, even outlasting the contents on the VHS itself and put there by the grubby paws of a Southern Middle Tennessee kid cutting his teeth on the Big Orange.

It hasn't been watched, I'm sure, since I lived there 15 years ago. I'm also sure it never will again. But if I have

Jones wraps up first Caravan in mid-state - Tennessee [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

UT pitching sisters keep rivalry off the mound

Source: The Tennessean

Softball pitchers Ivy Renfroe and Ellen Renfroe are hoping to lead Tennessee to a second straight Women's College World Series berth, though a giant obstacle stands in their way.

Get into the War Room - Tennessee (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

With the Big Orange Caravan selling out at every spot, the athletic department is enjoying the fruits of those sellouts both on the front end and what they hope will be of fruits from their labor come this fall. Get all the details on what a successful caravan has meant to the department, plus get the latest on all things recruiting but getting inside the war room.

San Fran Elite 11: Josh Rosen highlights

Source: ESPN YouTube

Saint John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) quarterback Josh Rosen - a 2015 prospect who holds offers from Duke, Michigan, Oregon State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and others - competes at the Elite 11 camp at the 49ers practice facility in Santa Clara, Calif.

Mikelis Libietis, Hunter Reese rally in first round of NCAA doubles

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Overcoming a case of nerves early, Tennessee’s Mikelis Libietis and Hunter Reese won their first-round match Thursday at the NCAA men’s doubles championships in Urbana, Ill.

Dick Evey, who played for Vols from 1961-63, dies at 72

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Dick Evey, a letterman on the Tennessee football and track teams from 1961-63, died Thursday at the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home after a debilitating illness. He was 72.

Track & Field, Cross Country. UT Secures Five NCAA Bids To Open Regionals

Source: Volunteers Official Site

Five Tennessee track & field athletes punched their tickets to the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championship meet, and five others moved a step closer to following suit Thursday on the first day of the NCAA East Preliminary Round meet at North Carolina A&T's Irwin Belk Track in Greensboro, N.C.

Erica Popson tied for 33rd after third round of NCAA championships

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee women’s golfer Erica Popson once again used the 18th hole to alleviate previous trouble Thursday at the NCAA championships at the University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, Ga.

Lady Vols seniors were tournament tough as freshmen

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee’s seniors have plenty of NCAA softball tournament experience. But even when they didn’t, they thrived.

W. Golf. Popson Tied for 33rd Heading into Final NCAA Round

Source: Volunteers Official Site

Lady Vol Erica Popson shot 1-over 73 in the third round of the NCAA Championships on Thursday at the University of Georgia Golf Course. The senior is tied for 33rd on the individual leaderboard heading into Friday's final round.

Football. Big Orange Caravan Concludes In Nashville

Source: Volunteers Official Site

The Big Orange Caravan stopped in Nashville on Thursday night and another sellout crowd greeted Butch Jones and Cuonzo Martin. MARTIN | JONES