By: Gage Miller
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee could have let an opening stumble linger.
Instead, the Lady Vols turned it into fuel.
After dropping the first set 25-22 to Wofford, Tennessee stormed back with three dominant sets — 25-13, 25-16, and 25-11 — to put away the Terriers at The Food City Center.
How It Happened
The first set started close, but Wofford was able to edge ahead late and take it with a score of 25-22. Tennessee spread its offense with sophomore outside hitter Paityn Chapman keeping the Lady Vols in rhythm early.
Setter Caroline Kerr guided the attack, distributing the ball with precision even as the team struggled to finish rallies.
The second set marked a turning point. Kerr took control, feeding Chapman consistently as she powered through the Wofford defense. The Lady Vols rolled to a 25-13 win behind sharper ball movement and steadier passing.
“You root for her because she’s such a great player and an even better person,” Coach Eve Rackham Watt said.
The third set belonged to Kerr, who showcased her remarkable skills. She finished with 49 assists and 11 digs, orchestrating the offense and keeping Wofford off balance. Chapman added six kills in the frame and went on to finish with 13 overall, pushing her career total past 250. Tennessee claimed the set 25-16 and never looked back.
“The 49 assists are a credit to great passing and great swings,” Kerr said. “That’s such a blessing to me as a setter.”
By the fourth set, the Lady Vols were unstoppable. Chapman’s swings electrified the crowd, and Kerr’s distribution turned every rally into a scoring chance. Tennessee closed the match with a commanding 25-1, sealing three straight sets of dominance after the early stumble.
Kerr said, “There was never a question in that huddle after the first set.”
The Lady Vols finished with 56 kills and seven team blocks while holding Wofford to just 28 kills. The win highlighted Tennessee’s balance, but it was Kerr’s steady setting and Chapman’s milestone night that stole the spotlight.
The Lady Vols return to action with little time to rest, as they will take the court Friday for a doubleheader against Winthrop and Samford.