Tennessee
Tennessee volleyball loses five-set thriller against Georgia Tech in NCAA Tournament first round
Tennessee volleyball coach Eve Rackham Watt on ranked win over UCLA
Tennessee volleyball coach Eve Rackham Watt talks about the No. 17 Lady Vols’ ranked win over No. 25 UCLA on Sept. 5, 2024
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.
Sissy arrived at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee in 2000, where caretakers began monitoring and managing her osteoarthritis. Sanctuary leaders said a recent progression of the disease caused what they described as “clear signs” of pain and swelling in her right wrist.
JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – The Tennessee Highway Patrol held an open house Thursday at the THP Jackson District Office in West Madison County for those interested in becoming a state trooper.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the various operations of the THP and the roles the department offers.
Trooper Tiffanie Williams said the career comes with competitive benefits and a sense of community responsibility.
“What makes us a good career choice is, one, base your retirement plan is pretty good, your benefits are pretty good. Also, just giving back to the community — we kind of hold ourselves to a higher standard,” Williams said.
For more information about the Tennessee Highway Patrol and how to get involved, click here.
Copyright 2026 WBBJ. All rights reserved.
Tennessee State men’s hockey has once again canceled its inaugural season.
The first ever ice hockey team at an historically Black, public university was expected to begin play in 2025-26, but the season was canceled due to a fundraising shortfall. Now, the team has canceled its 2026-27 season according to a source with knowledge of the situation who wished to remain anonymous because the news is not public.
The Tennessean reached out to Tennessee State president Dwayne Tucker, who decline to comment on the situation.
The Tennessee State’s men’s hockey website does not have a schedule, roster, or any team events listed on its website. The site’s most recent update was July 10 of last year, an announcement about the 2025-26 season cancellation. Requests for additional information about the hockey team have gone unanswered.
This delay in the start of the men’s hockey team comes three years after the team’s inception was announced at Bridgestone Arena ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft. The Nashville Predators and NHL were instrumental in bringing a team to Tennessee State, and a representative with the Predators confirmed that support is ongoing.
While the 2025-26 cancellation followed unrest about the school’s financial situation, it’s unclear if this year’s cancellation is for the same reason or if its related to the school’s recent turmoil in the athletic department.
In May, six coaches gave a vote of no confidence for Tennessee State’s athletic director Mikki Allen. A letter to Dwayne Tucker on May 29 expressed concern about the “current direction, leadership, communication, and operational management of the athletic department” under Allen.
Men’s hockey coach Duante Abercrombie was not among the six coaches mentioned in the letter.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
-
Idaho2 minutes agoYou Asked: Where is the 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule for the State of Idaho?
-
Illinois9 minutes agoIllinois election board ‘reviewing’ threat of prosecution from DOJ on noncitizen voting
-
Indiana12 minutes agoCreole Chrome Looks for Graded Glory in Indiana Derby
-
Iowa18 minutes agoPETERSON: Pollard’s “outside the lines” mindset was exactly what Iowa State needed
-
Kansas24 minutes agoKansas parents charged after child fatally shoots 5-year-old, 8-year-old
-
Kentucky27 minutes agoAffordable Care Act rates rate hikes could strain Kentucky families, WKAS warns
-
Louisiana32 minutes agoMoncus Park gets helping hand from 260 youth volunteers across Louisiana
-
Maine39 minutes agoMaine’s high court keeps transgender athlete referendum off 2026 ballot
