By: Logan Starkey
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Depth.
Depth.
Depth.
All season, the Lady Vols volleyball team has been adamant their depth was a strength. Tonight, they proved it.
Tennessee beat the No. 21 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 3-1 behind strong performances from Starr Williams and Chelsea Sutton. Sutton has been a full-time starter for the Lady Vols thus far, but it was Williams’ second start in five matches played.
Williams looked dominant offensively, recording a season high of 17 kills. Williams was one of four players to record 13 or more kills for the Lady Vols in their first-ranked win of the season.
Head coach Eve Rackham Watt wasn’t surprised by the star-studded performance from her team’s depth.
“I was a little bit of a different lineup than we’ve had,” said Watt. “That continues to be a strength, and I think the team is buying into that.”
In six matches, four different players have led the Volunteers in kills. The same is true for blocks, with four different players being the team leader throughout the team’s first six games.
Tennessee is able to use its depth by surrounding them with versatile players. Caroline Kerr is a two-time All-American setter. She had 53 assists in the team’s win over the Yellow Jackets. Gülce Güçtekin, the team’s libero, has led the team in digs for every matchup so far. She averages 4.29 digs per set. Sutton is a force on both ends, consistently placing in the top three in both kills and blocks for the Vols.
Sutton also mentioned that Kerr’s ability to connect with teammates helps everyone on the team play a more team-based style of play.
“It’s been one of the main focuses all week,” Sutton said. “Trying to fine-tune that relationship, that connection.”
It’s no mistake that as their connection grew, Sutton has played a bigger role.
Sixteen different players have played for Rackham Watt’s squad so far this season. All of them but two have appeared in double-digit sets. Eleven players made an appearance in today’s win over Georgia Tech. It’s a versatility that the Lady Vols embrace, using different lineups to change sets or misdirections.
The win over Georgia Tech isn’t just a statement for Tennessee; it is an emphatic announcement that they will throw everything they have at you to throw you off your game.