“My expectation this year is that we’re going to come out, play hard, be intense every game and we’re going to get better. We’re going to get better throughout the season. We have a long way to go as a team, but I’m really excited to watch us get better. It’s also been a long time coming. I’m so excited, I can’t believe the season is here. I’m excited to finally represent No. 21 and represent the Lady Vols on the court. My knee also feels great. I’m in the backend of my rehab. I’m in full practices, I’m feeling fit and strong, and I’m ready to play.”
Rae Burrell:
“I’m just excited to see us put together all of the work we’ve put in over the summer and to finally see it all come to life.”
Rennia Davis:
“I’m excited for this season. I’m really excited. It’s an opportunity for me to do something different, be more vocal, help our team and do what I’m capable of doing.”
Zaay Green:
“My goals this year are to definitely have a better record than last year and to try to get to the SEC Championship. The transition has been really good. We’ve been practicing really hard, and we’ve been working really hard since they (new staff) got here. We just have to show it when we play.”
“I’m really excited to play. I’m not sure if there are words to describe it. I get jitters when I think about playing in our games coming up. I think my expectations are no losses. I don’t want any losses this year.”
Kamera Harris:
“I expect a big year this year. Over the summer I really worked on my shot and my face-up game. I’ve been stretched out to the four this year, so it’s been a bit of a position change. I’ve really just been trying to work on my outside shot a lot more.”
Jordan Horston:
“The transition from high school to college has been a big one for me. I would say the biggest adjustment for me has been time management. Just knowing that I have to have everything planned out each day. I would say our goals are to win, but if I dig a bit deeper, we just want to be the best team we can be. We want to do the right things, have each other’s backs and just do all of the little things right. If we do that, everything will work itself out.”
Tamari Key:
“The transition has been good. It’s been a rollercoaster for sure. Adjusting my time management, the pace of the game is different, the physicality on the court for sure. I’m really looking forward to the season. This is a great group of girls. We all get along so well. My expectation for us is to just get better every day. To keep making strides and for myself I really want to get stronger physically, because post players dominate the SEC. As a team I just want us to be successful and the best team we can be at all times.”
Kasiyahna Kushkituah:
“I know for me and the team, it’s taking it one day at a time. Right now, it’s practice. Right now, it’s getting better every day in practice for the games. When the games get here, it’s taking it one game at a time. And I’m excited to finally start playing. I’m excited. The season just got here so fast. Once it starts, it’s taking it one game at a time and improving from there.”
Jazmine Massengill:
“My goal for us this year is to just be the best team we can possibly be. I understand we were picked No. 6 in the SEC and while we respect everyone’s opinion, we just have to try to be the best we can be. For me this year I expect to be a leader, to step up more and to be more aggressive. Whatever coach Kellie needs me to be, that’s exactly what I’ll be, on and off the court.”
Jaiden McCoy:
“My goal for this team this year is to win the tournament, really just like everyone else. For myself, it is to just grow as a player, especially coming from junior college and having an injury. I just want to grow to the SEC level and be as competitive as I can be. I’m so excited to play. I just feel like we’re going to have a really good season on and off the court.”
Jessie Rennie:
“Obviously I’ve moved from Melbourne, Australia, so the other side of the world. It’s been a massive, massive move, and I’ve settled in well. I think having Lou Brown here has helped me so much. But, you know I’m settled in, I know my way around and I know where I need to be, which is awesome. It’s less than a week until our first game, and it’s just crazy. I’m so, so excited just to play in orange, in TBA in front of our fans. It’s going to be incredible.”
Emily Saunders:
“The transition from high school to college has been a very big transition, because the college game is so much more fast-paced, and everyone is talented. In high school ball you can get by with little things, because you’re 6-4, but here it’s just a completely different level. My goal for myself is to be more confident in my game. In high school I was a defender, because I’m tall. I wasn’t looked at to score, but I want to transition my game from defense to scoring altogether, and I just want to be an all-around player. For this team I think we have excellent potential. It’s just up to us to fulfill that potential, which I think we’re capable of doing as long as we continue to put the work in.”
-UT Athletics
