By Jack Cull
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Inside Food City Center, Tennessee volleyball has built one of the toughest home-court advantages in the country. This fall, the Lady Vols hope that energy can carry them through a challenging SEC slate and back into the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year.
That energy was evident Friday night, as a record 7,654 fans filled Food City Center.
“I can’t say enough about what Vol Nation did tonight,” head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. “They were so loud, they were so into it, and definitely scored us a few points.”
Rackham Watt and her staff have consistently built strong offensive teams at Tennessee. Since her arrival on Rocky Top, six hitters have garnered All-American status, including each season since 2021.
Being known as an offensive team, when asked what her focus was heading into the 2025 season, Rackham Watt had a surprising answer.
“Where we need to improve is that block defense area,” she said. “If we can mesh that with our offense, we’ve got a chance to be very special this season.”
The Lady Vols backed up their preseason message against South Florida, putting on a defensive clinic. Senior middle blocker Kiki Granberry led the way with eight blocks.
“Past years we have been known for our offense,” Granberry said when asked about this Lady Vol defense. “This year we want to make that our statement that we are a block d team.”
Make that their statement they did, with Tennessee leading the stat sheet in blocks, 14-5.
So, the offense is there, the defense showed up in game one, and is a focal point for everyone in this program.
What else does this team need for success?
Belief.
That’s what Granberry said when asked to describe the team’s identity in one word. “Just knowing that we can go out there and trust the work we’ve put in and ball out.”
The Lady Vols proved that they can pair solid defense with their talented offense. Now, with belief at the core of their identity, they’ll test themselves against No. 15 Purdue on Sunday in Nashville.
It will be the first true test of what Rackham Watt’s team is made of and if the Lady Vols’ identity can hold up against top competition.