KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 2021 baseball season is right around the corner and leading up to opening day, UTSports.com will preview each position group for this year’s team.

Next up are Tennessee’s infielders and catchers. Read about UT’s outfielders HERE.

The Vols will have tons of depth on the infield with all of their starters and key contributors returning. UT also brings back it’s primary starting catcher in preseason All-American Connor Pavolony.

More info on Tennessee’s infielders and catchers can be seen below.

INFIELDERS

Returners (Listed Numerically)

#2 Max Ferguson – Junior – 6-1 / 180 – Atlantic Beach, Fla.
Career Stats (2 Seasons): 47 GP, 35 GS, .267 AVG, 120 AB, 23 R, 32 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, .358 SLG, 27 BB, 23 K, .414 OBP, 13 SB

Ferguson enters his junior season with lofty expectations after a great start in 2020 prior to the season being shut down. Ferguson has been tabbed as a preseason All-American by three different outlets and is essentially a lock to be an everyday starter for the Big Orange. On top of his elite athleticism, Ferguson is a versatile fielder with the ability to play second base, first base and the outfield. The Florida native batted .333 with 12 runs, two homers and .462 on-base percentage last season. Ferguson also finished the shortened season ranked second in the SEC with nine stolen bases despite missing four games.

On top of his preseason All-America recognition, Ferguson is also one of the top pro prospects in college baseball this year. The junior came in at No. 24 on D1Baseball.com’s Top 2021 College MLB Draft Prospects list. He is likely to open the season as UT’s starting second baseman.

#4 Liam Spence – Senior – 6-1 / 190 – Geelong, Australia
Career Stats (1 Season): 16 GP, 16 GS, .346 AVG, 52 AB, 13 R, 18 H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI, .462 SLG, 12 BB, 10 K, .462 OBP, 2 SB

Spence joined the Vols prior to last season after spending two years in the JUCO ranks at Central Arizona College. Spence was UT’s starting shortstop last year and wasted no time showing why he won the job. The Australia native ranked third on the team with a .346 batting average and drove in 12 runs in 16 games played. Spence was also as reliable as they come defensively, committing just one error in 69 chances last season and leading the team with 56 assists while spending time at shortstop and second base. Spence is the frontrunner to be Tennessee’s opening day shortstop again this season.

#7 Jake Rucker – Junior – 6-1 / 195 – Greenbrier, Tenn.
Career Stats (2 Seasons): 78 GP, 71 GS, .290 AVG, 245 AB, 41 R, 71 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 41 RBI, .400 SLG, 30 BB, 41 K, .375 OBP, 5 SB

Rucker enters the 2021 season as one of Tennessee’s most experienced infielders, having started 71 games over his two seasons on Rocky Top. After starting 54 games as a freshman, Rucker started all 17 games on the infield in 2020 before the season was canceled and was on pace to set career highs in nearly every statistical category. He led the team with 21 hits and ranked fourth in both home runs (three) and RBI (13).

The Greenbrier, Tennessee, native was named to the Round Rock Classic All-Tournament Team last season after helping lead the Vols to wins over No. 1 Texas Tech, Houston and No. 25 Stanford. Rucker was named a preseason third-team All-American by Baseball America last week and is expected to be a staple in the starting lineup while playing third base for the Big Orange. He has the ability to play shortstop and second base, as well. Rucker was No. 56 on Baseball America’s Top 2021 College MLB Draft Prospects list.

#13 Cortland Lawson – Sophomore – 6-2 / 200 – Potomac Falls, Va.

Lawson did not see action as a true freshman in the shortened 2020 season. The Virginia native was the 280th rated player in the nation by Perfect Game and the No. 2 ranked player in the state of Virginia coming out of high school. Lawson was named to the 2020-21 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll last year and will look to earn some playing time on Tennessee’s crowded infield this season.

#21 Trey Lipscomb – Junior – 6-1 / 200 – Frederick, Md.
Career Stats (2 Seasons): 23 GP, 6 GS, .200 AVG, 40 AB, 8 R, 8 H, 1 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, .300 SLG, 7 BB, 3 K, .306 OBP, 2 SB

Lipscomb has seen limited action during his first two years at Tennessee but was productive in the 11 games he played in last season. The Maryland product hit his first-career home run with a pinch-hit grand slam in a win over George Washington on Feb. 28 and finished the season with nine RBI and eight runs scored. Lipscomb has had a solid offseason and will be in the mix to earn some playing time at third base this year. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll last season and was also a member of the 2019-20 VOLeaders Academy Class.

#30 Ethan Payne – Sophomore – 6-2 / 210 – Memphis, Tenn.

Payne did not see action as a true freshman during the shortened 2020 season. The Memphis native was a dynamic two-sport athlete at Germantown High School, where he was a star on the Red Devils’ baseball and football teams. He holds numerous Germantown High School records for the decade spanning 2010-2019, including: most runs scored (94), most hits (125), most triples (10), most RBI (62) and most walks (81). Payne has worked mostly at first base this offseason but can also play outfield if needed.

#40 Luc Lipcius – RS-Senior – 6-2 / 215 – Williamsburg, Va.
Career Stats (4 Seasons): 86 GP, 55 GS, .277 AVG, 202 AB, 40 R, 56 H, 14 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 37 RBI, .465 SLG, 42 BB, 42 K, .415 OBP, 7 SB

Lipcius looked to be on his way to a huge year in 2020 before the season was shut down. The Williamsburg, Virginia, native played in all 17 games (15 starts) and had already set career highs in doubles (seven), RBI (15) and walks (16). Lipcius was also on pace to set career highs in runs, hits, home runs, on-base percentage and stolen bases. His .525 on-base percentage led all UT players with five or more starts and he also led the team in walks, ranked second on the team in doubles and ranked third on the team in RBI. Lipcius is the frontrunner to start at first base this season and could be in for a big year.

On top of his stellar production on the field, Lipcius is one of the Vols most accomplished players off the field, as well. In 2020, he was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team, the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll and the SEC Community Service Team. Lipcius was also a member of the 2018-19 VOLeaders Academy Class.

Newcomers (Listed Numerically)

#5 Logan Steenstra – Sophomore – 6-5 / 210 – Liberty, Mo.

Steenstra is one of the few newcomers in UT’s crowded and experienced infield group. Steenstra comes to Rocky Top after two years in the JUCO ranks at Cowley College, where he earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman in 2019. During that season, he batted .310 with nine doubles, two triples, three home runs and had 49 RBI and also scored 46 runs and drew 21 walks. He helped lead the Tigers to a 47-14 record and an appearance in the 2019 NJCAA Division I World Series.

#9 Jorel Ortega – Sophomore – 6-0 / 195 – Naranjito, Puerto Rico

While Ortega was with the program last season, he was not on the official roster as he was rehabbing from an injury he sustained during his senior year of high school. Now healthy, Ortega is ready to make his Tennessee debut in 2021. The talented infielder was one of the Vols’ most productive hitters in the fall and could see time as UT’s designated hitter this season while also mixing in at second base. Ortega was a Top 500 national recruit out of Spanish River High School in Lake Worth, Florida.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Ortega is a model student off the field, as well, earning SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll recognition in 2020. He is also a member of the VOLeaders Academy Class of 2020-21.

CATCHERS

Returners (Listed Numerically)

#10 Pete Derkay – Senior – 5-10 / 215 – Acworth, Ga.
Career Stats (4 Seasons): 171 GP, 143 GS, .273 AVG, 487 AB, 67 R, 133 H, 28 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 82 RBI, .374 SLG, 103 BB, 79 K, .415 OBP, 6 SB

Derkay enters his final season at Tennessee as one of the most experienced players in the SEC. He has appeared in and started more games than any player on UT’s current roster and will play an important role in the Vols’ success once again this year. Despite not being a consistent starter last season, Derkay was off to a red-hot start to the year, leading the team with an incredible .542 batting average in 24 at-bats. He had a handful of clutch pinch hits and drove in 11 runs in limited action. Derkay is one of Tennessee’s most versatile players, having seen time as a catcher, first baseman and outfielder during his collegiate career. The Georgia native enters the year ranked fourth all-time at UT in walks (103), needing 45 to become the program’s career leader in that category.

#17 Connor Pavolony – Junior – 6-1 / 195 – Woodstock, Ga.
Career Stats (2 Seasons): 56 GP, 45 GS, .259 AVG, 139 AB, 29 R, 36 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 29 RBI, .468 SLG, 25 BB, 33 K, .392 OBP, 1 SB

Pavolony will serve as Tennessee’s primary catcher for the third straight season in 2021. The junior backstop put up respectable numbers while starting 34 games as a freshman in 2019 before getting off to a fantastic start to the 2020 season. When the season was called, Pavolony was tied for second on the team with a career-high four home runs and ranked second on the team with a .737 slugging percentage. He also ranked fourth on the team with a .342 batting average and fifth on the squad with 12 RBI despite playing in just 12 of the team’s 17 games. Pavolony is one of the top defensive catchers in the league, as well, boasting a strong arm and quick release.

The Georgia native has caught the attention of media outlets and scouts alike heading into his junior campaign, earning preseason second-team All-America honors from D1Baseball.com while also coming in at No. 39 on the organization’s top 2021 College MLB Draft Prospects list. He was recently named the third best catcher in the country by D1Baseball.com in their preseason power rankings of the position. Pavolony was named to the Round Rock Classic All-Tournament Team and was named to the 2020 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll, as well.

Newcomers (Listed Numerically)

#14 Charlie Taylor – Freshman – 5-10 / 185 – Dunwoody, Ga.

Taylor comes to UT after a standout prep career at the Wesleyan School in Georgia. He was rated as a Top 500 player nationally by Perfect Game and was a two-time all-state selection for the Wolves. Taylor finished second in career doubles (40) in his high school’s history, just one shy of the school record despite not completing his senior season. Taylor may not make a major impact this season with three veteran catches on the roster, but he is someone to keep an eye on in the future.

#19 Jackson Greer – Senior – 6-3 / 220 – Knoxville, Tenn.
Career Stats (4 Seasons): 127 GP, 116 GS, .268 AVG, 429 AB, 68 R, 115 H, 24 2B, 1 3B, 24 HR, 82 RBI, .497 SLG, 62 BB, 127 K, .387 OBP, 24 HBP

A Knoxville native that grew up wanting to play for Tennessee, Greer will finally get his chance after joining the Vols as a graduate transfer from ETSU. He will provide a good deal of experience and depth behind Pavolony. During his four seasons with the Bucs, Greer evolved into the team’s top power hitter, blasting 24 career home runs, including 10 during his junior season in which he was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection. Greer was also a 2019 Cape Cod League All-Star and a 2020 Preseason All-SoCon first-team honoree.

-UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 16/19 Tennessee (12-3, 6-1 SEC) travels to Lexington, where it will meet No. 20/18 Kentucky (13-5/6-4 SEC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.

The Lady Vols return to action after a two-game pause of team activities due to COVID-19 contact tracing within the program was announced on Feb. 3 and ended on Feb. 9. The team also endured a two-game pause earlier in the season from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4.

UT stands third in the league standings and is one of only three SEC teams with one loss or fewer in league play (along with 10-0 South Carolina and 9-1 Texas A&M). UK, meanwhile, is one of three squads (along with Georgia and LSU) tied for fourth at 6-4 and positioned three games behind the Lady Vols.

Tennessee enters Thursday’s contest on a three-game winning streak that began with a 70-53 home victory over Kentucky on Jan. 24 and followed with triumphs over Ole Miss (68-67) and Florida (79-65) in Knoxville on Jan. 28 and Jan. 31, respectively. The Lady Vols find themselves with an opportunity to improve to 7-1 in league play for the second season in a row.

Kentucky, meanwhile, was idle on Feb. 8 after suffering a 72-60 setback at Ole Miss on Feb. 4 and seeing a two-game winning streak halted by the Rebels.

The location of Thursday’s game at Rupp Arena marks the third time UT and UK have faced off there and the fourth occasion the Lady Vols have played a game at the venue. UT is 1-2 in the venue, including 1-1 vs. the host Wildcats.

No. 7/7 Tennessee defeated unranked Kentucky there on Jan. 31, 2017, by a 63-49 score. The unranked Wildcats upset the No. 1/3 Lady Vols in Rupp, 66-63, on Jan. 26, 2006, with (then) UK head coach Mickie DeMoss (former UT assistant and associate head coach) getting the best of her former boss Pat Summitt in that match-up. UT’s other appearance at Rupp came on March 28, 1986, as the Lady Vols fell to Cheryl Miller and USC, 83-59, in a Final Four semifinal game.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

• Thursday night’s game will be streamed via SECN+ with the UK Sports Network radio broadcast of play-by-play announcer Darren Headrick serving as the game’s audio.
• Institutions can produce for SEC Network+ (SECN+) any conference and non-conference games that are not otherwise televised. Those are available on the ESPN app and SECSports.com.
• All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and the SEC Network will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
• The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network radio stations and by audio stream, with Mickey Dearstone behind the microphone. Now calling the action for his 22nd season, Dearstone is joined by studio host Bobby Rader.
• A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol schedule on UTSports.com.
• For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click on the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then click on Vol Network Affiliates in the black bar at the top of the page.
• Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.

QUICK GLANCE AT THE LADY VOLS

• Tennessee has posted three victories over ranked teams (No. 13/13 Arkansas, No. 15/15 Indiana, No. 12/12 Kentucky), marking the most by the program in a season since 2017-18 when it had seven.
• The Lady Vols have started a freshman (Marta Suárez), two sophomores (Jordan Horston, Tamari Key), a junior (Rae Burrell) and senior (Rennia Davis) for most of the season. Senior Kasiyahna Kushkituah stepped in for Suárez vs. Florida due to an injury suffered by the rookie.
• Tennessee has continued to thrive despite injuries to starting center Keyen Green (lost for season after four games), starting power forward Marta Suárez (missed Ole Miss and Florida games) and reserve power forward Jaiden McCoy (missed games count stands at 12).
• UT is led in scoring in all games by junior guard Rae Burrell (16.9 ppg.) and senior forward Rennia Davis (14.5 ppg.), with sophomore center Tamari Key chipping in 9.5 ppg. and 5.0 rpg., and sophomore point guard Jordan Horston contributing 8.3 ppg. and 4.1 apg.
• In SEC play, three Tennessee players are scoring in double figures, including Davis (17.1 ppg.), Burrell (17.0) and Key (13.1).
• Against ranked foes, Burrell puts up 18.8 ppg., while Davis fires in 17.8 ppg.
• Tennessee ranks No. 1 in the SEC in league games in both field goal percentage (48.6) and field goal percentage defense (36.5).
• Davis has climbed to 16th on UT’s all-time scoring list with 1,617 points and stands in 16th place on the rebounding list with 869.
• Sophomore Tamari Key has scored in double figures in six of the past seven contests (12/14/15/10/19/7/23).
• That 23-point effort vs. Florida was a career best for Key and came along with 10 rebounds and 10 blocked shots to notch the fourth triple-double in school history. Her scoring average over the past seven games is 14.3 ppg. along with 6.6 rpg. and 69.8 percent shooting.
• The team’s 45.5 shooting percentage, which ranks fourth in the SEC, currently rates as UT’s highest since the 2013-14 squad knocked down shots at a 45.7 rate.
• The 46.6 per game rebound average that stands fifth nationally and second in the SEC, ranks as the second-best in school history at this point.
• Tamari Key ranks No. 1 in the SEC in field goal percentage in conference games (69.0), with Rennia Davis (5th, 51.6) and Rae Burrell (9th, 47.9) making the Lady Vols the only school to have three players ranked in the top 10 of that statistical category.
• Tennessee ranks No. 1 in the SEC in league games in assists at 16.7 per contest, and sophomore Jordan Horston is fifth at 4.4 per game.
• Horston is the only sophomore in the SEC averaging better than 3.0 apg. and she stands ninth among all players in assists/turnover ratio at 1.6.
• UT has three of the SEC’s best in shooting percentage in conference games, with Key ranking first (69.0), Davis fifth (51.6) and Burrell ninth (47.9).

RECAPPING UT’S LAST GAME

• Sophomore Tamari Key turned in a triple-double to lead No. 20/22 Tennessee to a 79-65 win over Florida in Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 31.
•  Key totaled 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks, setting career highs in both points and blocks. It marks just the fourth triple-double in Lady Vol history, and the first since Jordan Reynolds notched one against UNCW on Dec. 29, 2016. Junior Rae Burrell also eclipsed the 20-point scoring mark for Tennessee (12-3, 6-1 SEC) with 21, while senior Rennia Davis finished with 14.
•  Florida (9-8, 2-7 SEC) was led by Kiara Smith and Lavender Briggs who each had 23. Smith added 10 rebounds to her point total to record a double-double.

UT-KENTUCKY SERIES NOTES

• This marks the 71st edition of Tennessee vs. Kentucky, with the Lady Vols leading the series, 56-14.
• UT has faced only one other team as many times as the Wildcats – Vanderbilt in 84 meetings.
• The Lady Vols have won seven of the last 11 games in the series after snapping a three-game Kentucky series win streak on Jan. 24.
• Tennessee is 21-9 vs. Kentucky in Lexington and 10-1 at neutral sites. The Lady Vols are 9-1 in postseason tournament games.
• Tennessee is 20-8 all-time at Memorial Coliseum and 1-1 in Rupp Arena (RA). where the teams will meet on Feb. 11.
• The teams are 2-2 in their last four meetings in Lexington.
• The Lady Vols own a 25-4 mark against UK in games played in Knoxville, with the Wildcats winning on Rocky Top in 1983, 1985, 2014 and 2019.
• UT is 3-1 in overtime games vs. Kentucky, including 3-0 in Lexington and 0-1 in Knoxville, with the last OT contest coming in 1994.

ABOUT KENTUCKY

• In SEC play, Kentucky has been led by junior Rhyne Howard (22.6 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) and senior Chasity Patterson (10.4 ppg., 3.3 apg.).
• UK is 4-1 at home in SEC play, but is 2-3 on the road with losses at Texas A&M, Tennessee and Ole Miss.
• The Wildcats started out 9-1 but are 4-4 in their last eight contests.

RECAPPING THE CATS’ LAST GAME

• Rhyne Howard scored 26 points, but 15th-ranked Kentucky was upset by Ole Miss, 72-60, on Feb. 4 at the Pavilion at Ole Miss.
• Chasity Patterson was the only other UK player in double figures, scoring 14 in the game.
• The Wildcats (13-5, 6-4 SEC) made just 21 of their 66 shots from the floor (31.8 percent), including six of 26 (23.1 percent) from behind the arc. Kentucky did have 25-12 second-chance points edge, but the Rebels won the rebounding battle, 48-34, and dominated points in the paint, 42-20.

THE LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET

• The No. 25 Lady Vols rolled to a commanding victory over No. 12 Kentucky on Jan. 24, winning 70-53 in Thompson-Boling Arena and holding the Wildcats to 28.6 percent shooting from the floor while knocking down 47.5 percent themselves.
• Tennessee (10-3, 4-1 SEC) was led in scoring by sophomore Tamari Key, who posted a (then) career-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Senior Rennia Davis turned in a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. Junior Rae Burrell and senior Kasiyahna Kushkituah were also in double digits with 13 and 11, respectively.
• Chasity Patterson was the high scorer for Kentucky (11-4, 4-3 SEC) with 15 points, and Rhyne Howard was close behind with 14, though UT’s stifling defense relegated the 2020 SEC Player of the Year to a 3-for-16 shooting day from the field.

LAST TIME IN RUPP

• No. 7/7 Tennessee improved to 13-0 overall and 1-0 in the SEC on Dec. 31, 2017, defeating Kentucky (8-7, 0-1 SEC) 63-49 in front of 8,921 at Rupp Arena.
• The victory was UT’s first in the venue in three tries. The Big Orange women lost to the Wildcats during the 2005-06 season and fell to USC there in the 1986 NCAA Final Four semifinals.
• Senior Mercedes Russell had 16 points, while freshman Rennia Davis tallied 11 boards and nine points.

WHAT’S NEXT

• On a date that was originally filled with a home game vs. Vanderbilt (VU opted out of the season), the Lady Vols will now play a twice-rescheduled game at Texas A&M at 3 p.m. ET (2 CT) on Sunday, Feb. 14. ESPN will televise the contest.
• UK, meanwhile, plays host to LSU on Monday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. ET in a tilt streamed by SECN+

-UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 16th-ranked Tennessee basketball team returns home for a Wednesday night home encounter with the Georgia Bulldogs. Tipoff from Thompson-Boling is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Fans can catch Wednesday’s game on ESPN2 and online or on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch. Tom Hart and Jimmy Dykes will have the call.

Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertlekamp describing the action.

Last time out, Tennessee downed Kentucky for the second consecutive time at Rupp Arena to the tune of an 82-71 score line. The Vols were led by a season-high 27 points from freshman and reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, Keon Johnson. Fellow freshman Jaden Springer added in 23 points of his own, meaning the UT freshman duo combined for 50 of the Vols 82 points on Saturday.

The win was also the Vols third in their last four tries at Rupp Arena, making head coach Rick Barnes the first coach to beat Kentucky three times in Lexington during the John Calipari era.

A victory on Wednesday would be Tennessee’s third consecutive over Georgia when the series is contested in Knoxville.

Up next, the Orange & White will hit the road for a Saturday showdown with LSU. The opening tip from Baton Rouge is slated for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

THE SERIES
• Tennessee leads the all-time series with Georgia, 96-61, dating to 1913. This is the 158th meeting overall and the only regular-season meeting set for the 2020-21 campaign.
• The Bulldogs have dominated this series in recent years, winning seven of the last 10 meetings.
• In last season’s lone meeting, No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 26 points to lead UGA to an 80-63 win in Athens.
• The Vols hold a 59-15 edge when the series is contested in Knoxville and have won two straight over the Bulldogs on Rocky Top.

A WIN WOULD…
• Extend Tennessee’s active home win streak over Georgia to three games.
• Improve Tennessee’s record on Wednesdays to 4-0 this season.

LAYUP LINES
• Tennessee was originally scheduled to host Florida Wednesday, but the Gators’ COVID-related pause led the SEC to make adjustments.
• Tennessee is No. 10 in the latest NCAA NET ratings, with four wins over teams in the top 30.
• Freshman wing Keon Johnson’s 27 points at Kentucky Saturday marked the highest scoring output by a Vol this season. He now leads the team in scoring during SEC play with 11.7 ppg and is the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week.
• Johnson and fellow freshman Jaden Springer (23 points) highlighted a four-guard lineup that helped UT erase a 10-point second-half deficit and win their second straight at Rupp Arena.
• Since shifting to a bench role three games ago, sophomore Josiah-Jordan James is averaging 9.7 points and 9.0 rebounds.
• Senior Yves Pons is a top-10 finalist for the Julius Erving Award and one of 15 candidates for Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year.

DEFENSE WINS
• Tennessee ranks sixth in the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 59.6 points per game.
• According to KenPom, the Vols lead the NCAA in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing only 86.1 points per 100 possessions. College teams typically average close to 70 possessions per game.
• The Vols are forcing 15.9 turnovers per game while converting those turnovers into 17.4 points per game. Tennessee’s turnover margin stands at +4.4 (10th nationally).
• Tennessee has forced 13 of 17 opponents to turn the ball over on 20 percent or more of their possessions.
• Tennessee has allowed only two opposing player to score 20 points all season.
• Reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Yves Pons has 101 blocks in his last 48 games (dating to the start of last season).

ABOUT GEORGIA
• After needing to largely overhaul the roster coming into the 2020-21 season following NBA departures by Anthony Edwards and Rayshaun Hammonds, along with the graduation of its lone senior starter from last year in Jordan Harris, Georgia has experienced mixed results as we pass the midway point of the season. After starting the year 7-0, the Bulldogs dropped six of their first eight SEC games. But UGA is currently riding a three-game win streak and sits at 12-6 overall and 5-6 in SEC play heading into Wednesday’s game.
• Through 18 games, UGA has been led by sophomore guard Sahvir Wheeler, who leads the team in both scoring (13.6 ppg) and assists (7.4 apg). His 7.5 assists per game also lead the SEC by two assists per game over Vanderbilt’s Scotty Pippen Jr. Wheeler has logged double-digit assists on five different occasions this season.
• In the frontcourt, forward Toumani Camara ranks second on the team in scoring with 12.5 points per game and leads the team and ranks seventh in the SEC in rebounding, with 7.2 boards per game. Camara, like Wheeler with assists, has eclipsed double-digit rebounds five times this season.
• Off the bench, graduate student Andrew Garcia has been incredibly productive to help provide depth for UGA. Through 18 games, Garcia is the team’s third-leading scorer and rebounder with 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, despite averaging just 17.8 minutes.
• Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. It is also considered to be a “Public Ivy” school, or a public institution that offers a similar academic experience to an Ivy League university.

LAST MEETING WITH GEORGIA
•  Two first-half runs and a hot-shooting touch from 3-point range in the opening half from Georgia were the difference on Jan. 15, 2020, as Tennessee team fell, 80-63, in Athens.
•  Senior Jordan Bowden paced the Vols in scoring, tallying 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field.
•  Freshman Josiah-Jordan James finished with 11 points, marking his fourth consecutive double-digit scoring output.
•  Junior Yves Pons was effective on the glass, pulling in a game-high eight rebounds while also adding eight points to the scoresheet.
•  The bright spot of the night for Tennessee was the debut of redshirt freshman transfer Uroš Plavšić, who had sat out the previous 15 games after the NCAA repeatedly denied his waiver for immediate eligibility. The Serbian 7-footer finished with five points and three rebounds off the bench.
•  Georgia came out of the gates quickly, taking an early 8-3 lead. The Vols responded with a 9-0 run, during which four different players scored to give UT a 12-8 advantage with just under 14 minutes remaining in the half.
•  Georgia took the punch and came back with a 12-3 run of its own, spearheaded by freshman Anthony Edwards and graduate transfer Donnell Gresham Jr., who tallied six points apiece.
•  Holding a 20-15 lead, the Bulldogs extended their advantage with two 3-point buckets from Rayshaun Hammonds and layups from freshman Sahvir Wheeler and Edwards to take a 32-19 lead with under eight minutes to play in the half.
•  Georgia closed the half on a 13-5 run to take a 47-28 lead into the locker room.
•  Out of the break, Georgia held steady. Despite multiple comeback efforts from the Vols, the Bulldogs never let their lead dip below 17 points for the remainder of the night.

OLIVER COACHED AT GEORGIA
• Sixth-year UT assistant coach Desmond Oliver was an assistant coach at UGA under Dennis Felton from 2004-09.
• During Oliver’s tenure in Athens with Felton—who himself was once an assistant under Rick Barnes at Providence and Clemson from 1992-98—the Bulldogs made consecutive postseason appearances in 2007 (NIT) and 2008 (NCAA Tournament).
• Oliver was on UGA’s staff during one of the most memorable conference tourney runs in recent history when Georgia won two games on the same day to capture the 2008 SEC Tournament championship.

MEMORABLE VOL PERFORMANCES AGAINST GEORGIA
• Austin “Red” Robbins had what may have been the best performance in UT history at the time with 35 points and 20 rebounds on Feb. 7, 1966, as UT routed Georgia 100-71 at old Armory-Fieldhouse in Knoxville.
• Bernard King made 18 field goals at Georgia on Feb. 1, 1975. King had 42 points and 18 rebounds in that 105-69 Vol victory.
• The 12,666 paying customers who packed UT’s Stokely Athletics Center on Feb. 10, 1979, got their money’s worth, as Ellenwood, Georgia, native Reggie Johnson totaled 36 points and 13 rebounds, playing every minute of a three-overtime thriller as UT topped Georgia 87-81. Terry Crosby also played all 55 minutes, adding 21 points
• Future NBA Lottery Pick Marcus Haislip paced the Vols with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Vincent Yarbrough added 17 points as UT outscored the 16th-ranked Dawgs 11-3 in overtime to take a 71-63 win in Knoxville on March 2, 2002.

MEARS OWNED THE DAWGS
• Legendary Tennessee head coach Ray Mears was at his best against Georgia. Mears was 25-4 vs. UGA during his tenure on The Hill (1962-78).

DISCOVERY IN LEXINGTON?
• Necessity—foul trouble for John Fulkerson and a 10-point deficit midway through the second half—may have led to the discovery of a new wrinkle in Tennessee’s offensive arsenal during Saturday’s come-from-behind win at Kentucky.
• Facing an uphill climb, Rick Barnes deployed a four-guard lineup featuring Santiago Vescovi, Jaden Springer, Keon Johnson, Josiah-Jordan James and Yves Pons.
• That lineup outscored Kentucky 19-6 in the close to seven minutes it was on the floor.

KEON PLAYING LIKE A PHENOM
• Five-star freshman guard Keon Johnson is performing like one of the best defenders in the SEC early in his career as a Vol.
• He leads the Vols in charges drawn (8) and ranks second in floor burns/diving efforts (8) and third in total steals (17). He also has seven blocks.
• Johnson had an offensive coming-out party Feb. 6 at Kentucky when he erupted for a season-high 27 points in Tennessee’s comeback win.
• He is now Tennessee’s leading scorer in SEC play, averaging 11.7 points per game. His 2.5 assists per game in SEC play rank second on the team.

TRACKING TENNESSEE’S DEFENSE
• Tennessee has drawn 32 charges through 17 games this season.
• The Vols also have forced five five-second calls and four shot-clock violations.
• UT has won the turnover battle in 14 of its 17 games.

-UT Athletics

Outfield
Rounding out the Lady Vols softball position previews are the outfielders – a group of grit, finesse and experience. The mainstays of the outfield all have at least one year of experience under their belt, which should benefit No. 23/24 Tennessee as it looks to make a statement early on.

The outfield is headlined by senior Amanda Ayala (Bloomfield, N.J.), who returns as UT’s hits and RBI leader. She topped the Lady Vols’ ledger with 27 hits, bringing in 18 runners. The shortened 2020 season was enough time for Ayala to have her much-anticipated breakout year. She finished with a career high .386 hitting clip, 19 runs, six doubles – all top three on the team.

“Amanda has started the most games of any of our outfielders,” said co-head coach Ralph Weekly. “When our season ended last year, she was in our top three in almost every offensive category and having that breakout season we’ve expected since we recruited her.

“She will hit lead-off for us and is really embracing the role of igniting our offense.  It’s been fun to watch her play with so much confidence and ownership this fall.”

Settling into a leading role is sophomore Kiki Milloy (Woodinville, Wash.) who had a hot start to her collegiate career going yard in her first at bat last season. She is believed to be the first freshman to do so since at least 2012.

Milloy appeared in all 23 games as a freshman, making 19 starts. Despite some inconsistency at the plate she added 13 runs and 11 hits to the charts and returns as the lead base stealer (9) for Tennessee.

“Kiki is one of the fastest players on our team,” Weekly said. “She has great adjustability and closing speed on tough balls.  It’s rare to have an athlete with her combination of speed and power.  She is also a terrific leader and was elected captain by her teammates in just her sophomore year.”

The Orange and White will also benefit from the experience and acumen of graduate seniors Cailin Hannon (Franklin, Tenn.) and Treasuary Poindexter (Covington, Tenn.), who opted to return for the extra season granted by the NCAA after the 2020 season was truncated due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hannon impressed last season and found herself in the starting lineup on 18 occasions. She finished with a .296 batting average – a career best, 16 hits, six runs and 11 RBI.

“Cailin is a veteran who is a great success story,” said Weekly. “She played sparingly her first two years and worked her tail off to earn a starting position her junior season.  She is a great communicator in the outfield and one of the most competitive players on our squad.  Everyone in our program benefits from her grit and experience.”

Poindexter, who is a situational player for UT, has a penchant for base running and despite her small frame has one of the strongest arms on the team. She added six runs and pilfered four bags in 17 appearances in 2020 and while the numbers are unassuming, she plays a pivotal role for the Lady Vols.

“We were so excited when Treasuary decided to return for her fifth year,” Weekly said. “She is an explosive player on both offense and defense.  She can change a game with her speed whether stealing bases or running down balls in the outfield.
“Her impact may not always show up in the stat sheet, but everyone in our program knows how valuable she is.”

Sophomore Amanda Curran (The Woodlands, Texas) made eight appearances stepping in to pinch hit or pinch run for UT last season. She is expected to fill a similar role this season.

“Amanda may see time in the DP spot as well as provide a big bat in a pinch-hitting role,” Weekly said. “She has tremendous power and a great mentality for pinch hitting, which is arguably the hardest thing to do in sports.  She is the ultimate teammate – incredibly selfless and always brings so much positive energy.”

The outfield may also get some assistance from sophomores Maddie Webber and KK McCrary and freshman Rylie West.

The Lady Vols open the 2021 season this Friday at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C., against Ohio at 9:30 a.m. ET.

-UT Athletics