Tennessee

Tennessee volleyball loses five-set thriller against Georgia Tech in NCAA Tournament first round

Published

1 year ago

December 6, 2024

Tennessee volleyball loses five-set thriller against Georgia Tech in NCAA Tournament first round

Tennessee volleyball couldn’t replicate its historic NCAA Tournament run from last season, falling to No. 7 Georgia Tech in the first round Thursday.

The Lady Vols’ season ended in a heartbreaker that went to extra points multiple times during the five-set thriller in Madison, Wisconsin. They were mere points away from the upset, falling 15-12 in the fifth set. Georgia Tech survived to win 3-2 and advance to the second round.

Nina Cajic was excellent for Tennessee (15-12), logging a team-high 27 kills in the final match of her college career. The graduate outside hitter came up with kill after kill when the Lady Vols needed a response. Her 25th of the night delivered the win to force a fifth set against the Yellow Jackets (21-9).

Setter Caroline Kerr ended the night with 57 assists, 13 digs and four kills. Cajic added 11 digs and six blocks to her kills, and freshman outside hitter Paityn Chapman had 13 kills and four blocks.

Cajic, a transfer from Towson, shined when it mattered most when the third and fourth sets both went to extra points.

Tennessee came back from down 18-12 in the third set to take a 19-18 lead. After that, the third and fourth sets were grueling back-and-force battles. Georgia Tech came out on top of the third set, winning 32-30 to take a 2-1 lead. But Cajic came up big for the Lady Vols, which responded to win the fourth set 28-26.

Tennessee dominated the second set after dropping a close first set. It led by 21-9 at one point in the second set, and Georgia Tech didn’t have an answer for Cajic, who scored the set-winning point with a service ace. Tennessee won the second set 25-13 to even the score 1-1.

This was the Lady Vols’ fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance under coach Eve Rackham Watt, who’s in her seventh season at the helm. It was the 19th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.

Tennessee made a historic run in the NCAA Tournament last season, hosting the opening rounds as a No. 3 seed, beating High Point and Western Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005. The Lady Vols fell in a five-set thriller to eventual champion Texas in the Sweet 16.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

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Tennessee

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Published

10 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.

Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.

He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.

Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.

“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”

A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.

Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok

On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.

In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

22 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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