BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference unveiled the 2025 league schedule for all 15 softball teams on Wednesday afternoon.
The two-time defending SEC champion Lady Vols begin their title defense on the road against Georgia March 7-9. Tennessee’s remaining road series will feature contests with Oklahoma (March 28-30), Texas (April 11-13) and Ole Miss (April 25-27).
Tennessee’s home slate starts with Arkansas on March 21-23, followed by Mississippi State (April 4-6) and Auburn (April 18-20) before wrapping up the regular season with Texas A&M (May 1-3).
The 2025 SEC Tournament will be held at Georgia’s Turner Softball Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The tournament will begin on Tuesday, May 6 with the championship game slated to be played on Saturday, May 10.
All eight of the Lady Vols’ SEC opponents played in an NCAA regional last season with four of those teams advancing to Super Regionals. Two teams – Oklahoma and Texas – advanced to the 2024 Women’s College World Series where they faced each other in the WCWS Championships Series.
The SEC added Oklahoma and Texas to the nation’s premier softball conference in 2025. Tennessee will visit both schools for the first time since 2014 and 2012, respectively, this upcoming season.
UT is coming off a 2024 season that saw it win the SEC regular season title in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history. Tennessee earned a No. 3 national seed in the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament – the highest seeding in program history. The postseason appearance was its 21st overall and 20th consecutive – advancing to the postseason every year since 2004 and hosting 19 straight regional rounds in Knoxville.
The Lady Vols return 15 players from last season’s squad and welcome in the nation’s No. 4 ranked signing class by Extra Inning Softball. Tennessee also added four transfers in a class ranked No. 7 by Softball America.
The Lady Vols’ 2025 SEC schedule can be seen below. All series are currently slated to be played Friday-Sunday except for the final series of the season which will be played Thursday-Saturday. The first seven series are subject to change to Saturday-Monday based on television. Those altered dates will be announced when the TV schedule is released in January or February.
Tennessee’s full 2025 schedule will be released later this fall.
Tennessee Softball 2025 SEC Schedule (home series in BOLD) March 7-9 – at Georgia
The closing remarks from Inky Johnson echoed throughout the football team room as the former Vol letterman concluded his annual speech in front of the 2024 squad.
Contribute – to this team, to your unit, to this facility, to this organization. It’s a blessing to do it, and it’s a privilege to do it at the University of Tennessee. Do me a solid, and respect it.
Johnson delivered 23 minutes of powerful, inspirational messaging during his visit to Knoxville in mid-August. The world-renowned motivational speaker and two-time Tennessee graduate makes a point to impact the next generation of Volunteers and return to his alma mater every offseason – personifying what it means to be a ‘Vol For Life.’
“I come back every year not only because this place means a lot to me, but also just for the opportunity to be part of the whole organization and what they are building and creating,” Johnson said. “When you speak ‘Vol For Life,’ the lineage of that and the way it’s interconnected is phenomenal. I come back because I consider myself a Vol For Life. The interconnection and opportunity that brings in terms of being a part of this program, it means the world to me.”
The VFL was a two-year captain for the Vols and entered his junior season projected as a first-round draft pick. Unfortunately, his promising career ended abruptly on Sept. 9, 2006, due to a devastating injury that left him permanently paralyzed in his right arm. From that day on, Inky has had a burning desire to use his situation and experiences to add value to people’s lives.
“I speak all across the country, and it’s humbling for me,” Johnson said. “I’m extremely grateful, because people come up to from time to time, just in terms of sharing different things I’ve said and stories I’ve shared. For me, it’s confirmation that I’m walking in my purpose. That means a lot to me and makes me take what I do very seriously.”
Johnson’s message to the Vols during fall camp resonated with several team leaders, including redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava as he was set to embark on his first season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback.
Inky is truly inspiring to me, everything he has been through and his story he’s shared with us, what I really took from his talk with the team was to cherish the game – really loving the game of football and not taking it for granted.
Nico Iamaleava
Inky’s visit to Rocky Top was timed perfectly as the Vols were two weeks into the grind of preseason training camp. Starting wide receiver Bru McCoy took a full page of notes, and the speech helped refresh his sense of urgency heading into his third and final year with the Vols.
Each and every time I’ve had the opportunity to hear Inky speak, it kind of breathes life back into you. He came in the dog days of fall camp … Guys start to feel sorry for themselves as a collective, and then you have a guy like Inky Johnson come in. He hits that reset button.
Bru McCoy
As one of Tennessee’s most significant leaders on the field and in the community, McCoy looks up to Johnson and came away from his message honored and inspired.
Not only is Inky an unbelievable motivator, but he’s an unbelievable person. The way he gives back to the community, the way he gives back to the university, it’s just truly an honor to be able to sit there and hear him speak about what he speaks about.
A point of emphasis during Johnson’s visit was his appreciation for the ‘VFL Brotherhood’ and the strong network of former Vols across the country. He cherishes those relationships daily and keeps up with former teammates in a group chat as VFLs from his era grow and progress through various stages of life. That chat includes current coaching assistant Robert Ayers Jr.
Johnson’s values on brotherhood are paralleled by a Tennessee football culture built on trust, accountability and relationships that has been instilled by head coach Josh Heupel over the last four seasons. In the fall of 2022, Heupel established the Inky Johnson Spirit of Courage Award – recognizing individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
“The relationship that I have with (Inky) – and our team does, too – it’s so important,” Heupel said. “For us, that’s also why we created an award – the Inky Johnson Spirit of Courage Award – because of who he is and how he’s impacted the people around him.”
We wanted to recognize who he was as a Tennessee Vol. You talk to any of his teammates, they talk about his maturity, his focus, his competitiveness, his willingness to help pick up a brother and make such an impact on the people around him.
Josh Heupel
The award seeks to honor individuals who have faced significant challenges in their lives – whether physical, emotional, or mental – and have overcome those challenges with grace and determination. Past winners include defensive end Byron Young in 2022 and offensive guard Ollie Lane in 2023.
“I’m so honored that Coach Heupel chose to name an award after me,” Johnson said. “If I can be honest, it’s hard to put into words. It’s something that I’ve thought about a lot, just in terms of the gratitude that goes along with that.”
That’s something my children can see, something my wife and family can see, but also something the guys that I played with and the guys that come through this institution can be a part of. I’m forever grateful for it.
An investigation in underway following a head-on crash in Alcoa.
45-year-old Jose Ramos, who was driving an Avalon going the wrong way on Alcoa Highway crashed into a car after police attempted to catch him, he died at the hospital.
The crash happened near the Green Acres Flea Market Tuesday night. “The officer attempted to catch up to the Avalon and reported that it had crashed with another car, a 2019 gray Nissan Altima, in a head-on manner,” APD said.
Two others, 19-year-old Aden Brown and Casey Claiborne, were in the car hit by the Avalon, they were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. They have been released.
It’s believed Ramos was drinking and anyone with information is being asked to call police.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department announcing Wednesday afternoon an increased police presence at Knoxville schools in response to the recent wave of school threats.
KPD says officers will have increased visibility at area schools, particularly when students and staff arrive for the day and as they are leaving school grounds. An officer and supervisor will respond to school threats, regardless of whether the threat is actual or implied, and conduct a preliminary investigation. Following the investigation, a KPD Investigations Bureau detective will respond to investigate the situation further.
In its release to media Wednesday, KPD also stated that the Investigations Bureau has assigned one central point of contact to act as the clearinghouse for all school-related threats.
“We understand the stress that our community is feeling and will have zero tolerance for any threats of violence directed at our schools, students or staff,” Chief Paul Noel said. “We have and will continue to treat these threats with the intense seriousness they deserve. We will also charge any individuals who make threats towards our schools to the fullest extent possible.”
KPD also reports that, as of 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, officers had arrested at least six students, ages 12 to 14, for making threats of mass violence at area schools.
One 12-year-old male was charged in relation to a social media threat involving Holston Middle School. Another 13-year-old male was also charged for making a separate, unrelated school shooting threat at the same school.
A 12-year-old male and a 14-year-old male were charged for making separate, unrelated threats at Northwest Middle School. The 12-year-old was charged for a social media threat, while the 14-year-old was charged for making a school shooting threat.
A 14-year-old female was charged for making a threat involving Richard Yoakley Schoool.
A 14-year-old male was arrested for making threats involving Fulton High School.
KPD adds there are still several ongoing investigations into recent school-related threats.
KPD announced officers will have an increased presence in schools due to the recent wave of school threats. (Courtesy: KPD)
Gatlinburg, TN (WOKI) The Flint Gap Fire, which was started by lightning on August 26th, continues to burn slowly in a remote area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park primarily in undergrowth in steep terrain.
The fire is estimated to be roughly 28 acres and is not contained and has grown minimally over the last several days due to weather conditions and shaded terrain.
Increased smoke has been visible this week and some rain is expected this weekend which will likely slow, but not extinguish the fire.
No structures are threatened at this time. Some roads and campsites remained closed due to the fire.
The Flint Gap Fire in the Great Smoky Mountains prompts closures (Courtesy: GSMNP)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knoxville Police Department is asking for help finding a suspect it says vandalized Austin-East Magnet High School overnight Tuesday.
KPD says security footage shows an unidentified white male walking up to the front door around midnight and striking it with what appears to be a child’s scooter.
The man did not enter the school and walked away from the scene. KPD adds that he was walking east on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.
Those with information are being asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165.
The American Job Center in Sevierville, Tennessee will be hosting a large multiple employer Job Fair on Thursday, September 12th at the Newport City Park Pavilion, 220 Smith Street in Newport, TN. Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. to veterans and military service members only and then to the public at 10:00 a.m. The event will conclude at 2:00 p.m.
Job seekers can explore career opportunities from twenty employers across 4 counties. Area community resource agencies along with Walters State Community College will be present as well. In addition, Career Specialists from the American Job Center will be on hand to provide free services to connect individuals with steady, good-paying jobs, along with services related to training, job counseling, and financial aide for education.
The American Job Center in Sevierville is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Laurel Kiewitt at 865-356-0800 or [email protected] or Jennifer Eppley at 865-640-0661 or [email protected].
The Tennessee Department of Health confirms a positive measles test of a resident who recently traveled internationally.
They spent time in Kentucky during the infectious period and are now recovering from the virus.
The TDH has not identified additional positive cases in Tennessee and this is the first case since 2019. The measles virus can spread through the air when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include: Fever, headache and generally not feeling well followed by fever, rash, cough, red eyes, or congestion.
The illness is typically accompanied by a red, spotty rash that begins on the face and spreads over the body. TDH says measles is a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease, so it’s important to report suspected measles cases immediately to TDH at 615-741-7247.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Three Lady Vols finished with double-digit kills, as 16th-ranked Tennessee earned a big road win against Western Kentucky on Tuesday night at E.A. Diddle Arena.
The Big Orange (3-2) were led by an offensive attack that finished with 67 kills and a defensive effort that netted 15 blocks and 57 digs. Graduate student outside hitter Nina Cajic paced the Lady Vols with 17 kills, 13 digs and five blocks for her first double-double of the season.
Freshman right side Paityn Chapman had another big performance, recording 15 kills on .364 hitting, eight digs and five blocks on the night. Junior middle blocker Keondreya Granberry added 11 kills on .588 hitting to go along with a career-high 11 blocks. Redshirt junior middle blocker Emily Beeker had nine kills and three blocks, while junior outside hitter Hayden Kubik finished with 12 digs, nine kills, three aces and two blocks.
Guiding the offense was redshirt sophomore setter Caroline Kerr, who tallied 50 assists, six kills, five digs, two blocks and an ace for the all-around performance. It marked the sixth 50-plus assist match of her career and was the first of the season for the reigning SEC Player of the Week. The Lady Vols finished with 57 digs, 56 assists and five aces on the night.
The first set went back and forth to begin, but after being tied at 16-16, the Big Orange finished the set on a 9-6 swing to win the frame. The Lady Vols spread out their attack, as five different players had at least three kills in the set. As a team, UT recorded 18 kills on .308 hitting in the period to outpace the Hilltoppers (4-3).
Western Kentucky jumped out to a quick 9-3 lead in the second stanza, and Tennessee never made up the difference. The Big Orange hit .121 for the set compared to the Hilltoppers’ .333.
Tennessee dominated the third set, using a 13-2 run to reclaim the lead in the match. The Lady Vols were on fire offensively and defensively, as the Big Orange tallied 14 kills and held the Hilltoppers to just six kills and -.100 hitting thanks to 14 digs and seven blocks in the period.
Western Kentucky responded by winning the fourth frame and forcing decisive fifth set. Tennessee opened with a 5-2 run that resulted in a WKU timeout. The Hilltoppers scrapped until it was a 12-11 UT lead, but from there, the Lady Vols won three straight points to get the road win.
Up next, Tennessee continues its road trip with a pair of matches at Coastal Carolina on Saturday and Sunday followed by a stop at Wofford on Monday night. All three matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
