Tight End Rotation Taking Shape For Tennessee This Spring
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Tight End Rotation Taking Shape For Tennessee This Spring

Posted on April 7, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A revamped tight end room featuring two major transfers and one returning redshirt freshman is taking shape for the Tennessee football team, which completed its 10th practice of the spring on Saturday afternoon at Haslam Field.

The Volunteers went full pads to conclude the third week of spring ball. Second-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln addressed members of the media following the practice along with transfers Holden Staes (Notre Dame) and Miles Kitselman (Alabama).

Abeln is seeking to replace departing seniors Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles, who combined for 38 catches for 474 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023.

“I don’t want to crown them too early, but they’re doing a really good job,” Abeln said. “McCallan (Castles) was probably on the curve that most guys are on where it’s a spring of trying to learn how to operate. There’s a lot going on, and it’s happening very fast. Without getting their egos too inflated, the two new guys (Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman) have come in are really ahead of schedule in terms of where I thought they would be in the ability to line up, process and play. We probably put more on their plates because of their ability to learn so fast.”

Staes played two seasons with the Irish before transferring to Knoxville. He caught 15 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. Kitselman played in 19 games for the Crimson Tide after spending the 2021 season at Hutchinson Community College.

The Vols welcome back redshirt freshman Ethan Davis, who possesses the size and athleticism to make a major impact. Davis bulked up significantly and has a better grasp of the offense in his second season.

“This spring, he’s done such a great job,” Abeln said of Davis. “One, getting his body right. I think he was 242 last week, and he’s so comfortable now with where to be and what to do. There’s still a detail in everything that he has to continue to clean up, but I’ve told him this, he’s going to be an elite player in the core. He has so much twitch, pop. He’s not scared of anything.”

The fourth and final week of the spring includes practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday before next Saturday’s 1 p.m. Orange & White Game in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium. The Vol Village Music Festival and spring game watch party outside the stadium is free admission.

Record-Breaking Home Runs Highlight 12-2 Victory Over Auburn
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Record-Breaking Home Runs Highlight 12-2 Victory Over Auburn

Posted on April 7, 2024

Game Recap: Baseball | April 06, 2024

AUBURN, Ala. – It was a day filled with record-setting home runs for No. 4/4 Tennessee as it evened its series against Auburn with an emphatic 12-2 victory in front of a capacity crowd at Plainsman Park on Saturday afternoon.

Blake Burke cemented himself into UT lore, becoming the Volunteers’ career home run leader while Christian Moore hit the eighth grand slam of the season for the Big Orange, breaking the 1998 team’s single season record of seven.

Burke led off the fourth inning with his 41st career homer, a solo shot to left-center field to put himself atop the program’s all-time home run list, surpassing his predecessor at first base Luc Lipcius (2017-22).  

Burke’s 11th blast of the year also extended his hitting streak to 21 straight games and was one of six that the Big Orange belted on the afternoon.

Dylan Dreiling and Dalton Bargo hit two long balls each, marking the first time this season that the Vols had two players hit multiple homers in the same game.

While UT (25-6, 6-5 SEC) wasn’t busy mashing baseballs over the fence, Drew Beam was dealing on the mound en route to his second complete game of the season. The junior righthander allowed just three hits and didn’t give up a run until back-to-back wild pitches allowed the Tigers to score twice in the seventh inning.

Until a one-out double in that seventh inning, Beam had retired 14 consecutive batters. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native, finished with eight strikeouts and walked just one batter on the day, improving to 4-1 on the year.

Auburn (18-12, 2-9 SEC) did not have a single player finish with more than one hit. Conner McBride started on the mound for the Tigers was fell to 3-2 on the year after surrendering five runs on four hits and two walks in just 1.2 innings.

The Vols on the other hand, had five players record multiple base hits in the game, led by three-hit performances from Moore and Dean Curley. Moore also finished with a career-high six RBIs after doubling in a pair of runs in the top of the seventh following his grand slam in UT’s five-run second inning.

Bargo and Dreiling had multi-RBI days as well with three and two, respectively. Hunter Ensley also had a productive game, scoring twice and reaching base in all four of his plate appearances with a pair of singles and two walks.

STAT OF THE GAME: Tennessee’s six home runs were its most in an SEC game since blasting seven in a win at Mississippi State on May 19, 2022, which was a full nine-inning contest. The Big Orange also hit six bombs in a victory over Auburn on April 29, 2022, in Knoxville.

UP NEXT: The Vols will play in their fourth consecutive rubber game on Sunday. They are 2-1 in their previous three after posting back-to-back Sunday wins at home over Ole Miss and Georgia to cap off the past two weekends.

First pitch for this Sunday’s series finale is set for 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

KNECHT NAMED JULIUS ERVING AWARD RECIPIENT
Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNECHT NAMED JULIUS ERVING AWARD RECIPIENT

Posted on April 7, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Dalton Knecht of the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team is the 2023-24 Julius Erving Award honoree, as announced Saturday evening on ESPN College GameDay.

The elite accolade, awarded by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, is given to the nation’s premier small forward.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award. To see my name associated with one of the greatest basketball players ever is truly humbling,” Knecht said. “I want to thank Julius Erving and the entire committee for selecting me. It would not have been possible, though, without my teammates and coaches. I’d like to express my appreciation to every single one of them for supporting me throughout this entire season, on and off the court. I will be forever grateful to all of them, as well as to the University of Tennessee community and Vol Nation, for embracing me in such an incredible way.”

Knecht is the first player in Tennessee history to win any of the Starting Five—there is one given to the best player at each position—distinctions. The Bob Cousy Award, for the top point guard, started in 2004 and is in its 21st season, while each of the other four plaudits are in their 10th year after being initiated in 2015.

The list of Julius Erving Award designees, which Knecht now joins, features some of the finest college basketball players of the last decade. He is now alongside Kansas’ Jalen Wilson (2022-23), Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. (2021-22), Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert (2020-21), Villanova’s Saddiq Bey (2019-20), Gonzaga’s Rui Hachimura (2018-19), Villanova’s Mikal Bridges (2017-18), Villanova’s Josh Hart (2016-17), Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine (2015-16) and Arizona’s Stanley Johnson (2014-15).

Knecht edged Washington’s Keion Brooks Jr., Memphis’ David Jones, Weber State’s Dillon Jones and Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman for the recognition.

Additionally, Connecticut’s Tristen Newton won the Bob Cousy Award, North Carolina’s R.J. Davis claimed the Jerry West Award, San Diego State’s Jaedon LeDee earned the Karl Malone Award and Purdue’s Zach Edey collected the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. The winners were determined by a combination of input from committees composed of top basketball personnel and Starting Five Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies.

“The Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to celebrate the best in the game at every level, both men and women,” said John L. Doleva, President of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “The student-athletes who have received our Starting Five Awards are a true reflection of the Hall of Famers for whom the awards are named, both in terms of their character and abilities on the court. We are honored to recognize this remarkable group of people, and we know they will continue to achieve success wherever they go. We honor their accomplishments today and name them the … 2024 Naismith Starting Five.”

A fifth-year guard from Thornton, Colo., Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in his one and only season at Tennessee, during which he tallied 780 points, the second-most in a campaign in program history. The eighth-leading scorer in the country shot 45.8 percent on field goals, 39.7 percent from long range and 77.2 percent at the line.

The SEC Player of the Year according to both the league’s head coaches and, unanimously, the Associated Press, Knecht registered 25.5 points per game in SEC play, the second-best mark by anyone in the last 22 seasons (2002-24). That figure also put him atop the 2023-24 league-only scoring leaderboard among all Division I players.

The fourth consensus First Team All-American in Tennessee history, Knecht aided the Volunteers to their 11th SEC regular season title, including their sixth outright, and to their second Elite Eight appearance. He scored 30-plus points eight times, third-most nationally, and 35-plus six times, setting a program record and leading the country this season.

A 6-foot-6, 213-pounder, Knecht is among four finalists for the Naismith Trophy and one of five finalists for the John R. Wooden Award.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.

#6 Tennessee Falls to #3 Georgia in Second Game of Weekend Series, 3-2
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#6 Tennessee Falls to #3 Georgia in Second Game of Weekend Series, 3-2

Posted on April 7, 2024

Game Recap: Softball | April 06, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After winning game one of the series Friday night, the sixth-ranked Lady Vols dropped game two to third-ranked Georgia, 3-2, on Saturday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium – setting up a rubber match on Sunday.

The defeat snapped Tennessee’s (29-6, 9-2 SEC) 18-game home winning streak.

Graduate Payton Gottshall was solid in the circle for the Lady Vols, coming on in relief of starter Charli Orsini in the second inning. The right-hander tossed six frames, allowing only one run on one hit.

Gottshall notched seven strikeouts with no walks but ultimately suffered the loss – her third of the season.

Orsini got the start and allowed two runs on three hits in an inning of work before Gottshall relieved her after facing three batters in the second.

Georgia (31-7, 7-4 SEC) scored first thanks to a triple to right field by Emily Digby in the second, opening up a quick two-run lead.

Tennessee battled back in the third, tying the game on a single and a sacrifice fly. With two runners on, junior McKenna Gibson laced a single through the infield to plate Laura Mealer and advance Amanda Ahlin to third.

Sophomore Destiny Rodriguez tied the ballgame with an RBI sac fly to right that got deep enough to score Ahlin.

Gottshall held the Bulldogs off the board for two innings before Sarah Gordon hit a fifth-inning solo home run to retake the lead for Georgia.

UGA started Madison Kerpics in the circle and let her toss 2.1 innings before turning things over to Shelby Walters out of the bullpen. Kerpics allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and a strikeout.

Walters came on in the third and closed out the contest, throwing the final 4.2 frames. She surrendered just one hit with five strikeouts as she picked up her seventh win of the season.

HOT START NOT ENOUGH AS #4 VOLS DROP SERIES OPENER AT AUBURN
Courtesy / UT Athletics

HOT START NOT ENOUGH AS #4 VOLS DROP SERIES OPENER AT AUBURN

Posted on April 6, 2024

Game Recap: Baseball | April 05, 2024

AUBURN, Ala. —  Despite a hot-start offensively and an inspiring showing from the bullpen, No. 4/4 Tennessee was unable to keep Auburn’s bats in check in the early innings and dropped Friday night’s series opener, 9-5, at Plainsman Park.

A pair of two-run homers from Kavares Tears and Christian Moore provided four of UT’s five runs over the first two innings, but missed opportunities came back to plague the Vols as they left the bases loaded in the second inning and were unable to capitalize in the third after getting two runners aboard with just one out.

The Tigers (18-11, 2-8 SEC) came out swinging, as well, quickly erasing a 3-0 deficit with five runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning and three more in the second to take an 8-5 lead they would not relinquish.

After the explosive start, the Big Orange struggled to find any kind of rhythm at the plate for the remainder of the night against Auburn’s bullpen, which did not allow a run and gave up just four hits over the final seven innings.

Carson Myers got the win after tossing 3.2 scoreless innings in relief of starter Dylan Watts before John Armstong finished the game with four shutout frames that included six strikeouts to pick up his second save of the season.

Tennessee’s bullpen was nearly as impressive, allowing only one run on four hits while totaling 11 strikeouts over 6.2 innings.

Aaron Combs posted his most impressive outing of the season, setting career highs with four innings pitched and six strikeouts to keep the Vols in the game. Veteran lefties Kirby Connell and Chris Stamos combined for five strikeouts and didn’t allow a run over the final 2.2 innings.

AJ Causey had a rough outing for the second straight weekend to fall to 5-2 on the year.

Blake Burke had the lone hit against Armstrong with a single in the ninth inning and finished with a team-high three hits to extend his hit streak to 20 consecutive games while also scoring and driving in a run with an RBI double in the first inning.

STAT OF THE GAME: After the two teams combined to score 13 runs in the first two innings, both bullpens were lights out after that. In 14.1 combined innings, relief pitchers for both sides combined to allow just eight hits and one run while striking out 21 batters.

UP NEXT: Like last weekend, Tennessee (24-6, 5-5 SEC) will look to rebound from a Friday-night loss and even the series on Saturday. First pitch for game two between the Vols and Tigers is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

BOO BOMB POWERS #6 TENNESSEE PAST #3 GEORGIA, 5-1
Courtesy / UT Athletics

BOO BOMB POWERS #6 TENNESSEE PAST #3 GEORGIA, 5-1

Posted on April 6, 2024

Game Recap: Softball | April 05, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The sixth-ranked Lady Vols regained their momentum Friday night with a 5-1 series-opening victory over third-ranked Georgia at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.

Tennessee (29-5, 9-1 SEC) also extended its home winning streak to 18 with the win.

The Lady Vols took an early lead when Mckenna Gibson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The blast was the first of three hits for Gibson who finished with two RBIs and a run scored.

Georgia (30-7, 6-4 SEC) threatened in the top of the second inning, but Destiny Rodriguez and Sophia Nugent made a crucial defensive play to prevent a run by the Bulldogs – cutting down a UGA runner breaking for home.

The Lady Vols then added another run in the bottom of the third on a single by Nugent, bringing the score to 3-0.

Zaida Puni added a little insurance to the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run double.

Georgia avoided a shutout with a fifth-inning solo home run off the bat of Emilly Digby.

Karlyn Pickens got the start for Tennessee in the circle, tossing her 11th complete game of the year en route to her 15th win. The flamethrower scattered six hits over seven innings of work with six strikeouts and two walks.

The Weaverville, North Carolina, native allowed just one run on the night.

Lilli Backes started for the Bulldogs, throwing 3.1 innings before giving way to Shelby Walters who pitched the final 2.2 frames.

Backes struck out four on the night but also walked four and allowed three runs – two earned – on three hits. Walters gave up two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

STAT OF THE DAY
Mckenna Gibson has been rock solid for Tennessee all season long but has upped her level in SEC play. The junior is hitting an even .400 through 10 league games – best on the team – while also leading the Lady Vols with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

She is slugging .743 with an OPS of 1.190.  

UP NEXT
Tennessee and Georgia play game two of the series on Saturday with a first pitch set for noon ET. The matchup will air on SEC Network with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) calling the action.

Fans can also listen to Voice of the Lady Vols Brian Rice all weekend long on AM990.

Fentress County Child Abuse Case Moves to Grand Jury

Fentress County Child Abuse Case Moves to Grand Jury

Posted on April 5, 2024

Fentress County, TN (WOKI) The case of a Fentress County mother and father accused of abusing their adopted children was moved to the grand jury Thursday, April 4.

Jessica and Jason Klimp are suspected of abusing two of their four adopted children. One of those children, who is 12 years old, reportedly appeared so malnourished in February that doctors initially thought she was six years old.

According to court records, the couple is also accused of making the two children sleep in totes in their home’s basement as punishment for wetting the bed.

The Klimps are charged with aggravated child abuse, neglect or endangerment.

The grand jury is slated to meet next on April 18.

TBI: 13 Charged, 5 Pounds of Meth Seized in Blount County

TBI: 13 Charged, 5 Pounds of Meth Seized in Blount County

Posted on April 5, 2024

Maryville, TN (WOKI) Thirteen people from Blount County are indicted after an undercover investigation into methamphetamine distribution.

According to a release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the investigation was part of the 313 Initiative and focused on those trafficking illicit drugs into Blount and Knox Counties from Detroit, Michigan.

TBI says numerous search warrants were executed, resulting in the seizure of approximately five pounds of methamphetamine, more than a pound of fentanyl, cocaine and seven firearms.

Currently, eight of the 13 individuals have been arrested; all are charged with conspiracy to distribute 300 grams or more of methamphetamine.

TBI officials named the following as currently under arrest following their investigation:

  • Gregory Salvatore Celentano, 41, Maryville
  • Joseph Shane Todd, 38, Walland
  • Vida Elizabeth Clack, 38, Walland
  • Mary Faye Graham, 47, Knoxville
  • Matthew Clay Humphrey, 62, Maryville
  • Noah Olen McDowell, 42, Townsend
  • Seth Austin Stokes, 28, Maryville
  • Rashawn Maurice Jones, 30, Detroit, MI

According to the TBI, the 313 Initiative is a concerted and organized effort by numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify, target, and dismantle individuals and groups from the Detroit area who are bringing deadly drug combinations into Knox County and surrounding areas.

An Investigation is Underway Following a Knox County School Bus Crash
Photo courtesy of WVLT

An Investigation is Underway Following a Knox County School Bus Crash

Posted on April 5, 2024

An investigation is underway following a Knox County School bus crash.

Knoxville Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Tazewell Pike Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from Knox County Schools say there were 20 students on the bus, and they were taken by another bus through the rest of their route.

No injuries were reported.

A Fatal Train Crash is Under Investigation in Sweetwater

A Fatal Train Crash is Under Investigation in Sweetwater

Posted on April 5, 2024

A fatal train crash in Sweetwater.

Police responding to the Duck Park area yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and say a woman, identified as Sharlotte Castillo-Wong, was driving across the tracks when the crossing’s arms came down, keeping her in the path of a Norfolk Southern train. She was struck by the train as she attempted to get out of her vehicle and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say several roads and all tracks within the city’s limits will be shut down for an extended time.

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