By Stephen Mason
In front of a program record-setting crowd of 7,924, the No. 22 Lady Volunteers Volleyball team got the 2026 season going with a dominant 3-0 sweep over Colgate. On the way to taking down the Raiders 25-17, 25-12, and 25-12, Tennessee seamlessly blended the new transfer players with the few returning core pieces.
“I was really proud of just how clean we played. We talked about going into the match with a really aggressive mentality and kinda going after it,” head coach Eve Rackham Watt said.
The aggressive attack was led by SMU transfer Kennedi Rogers, who finished the night with a team-high 14 kills and added 10 digs on defense. While new to the team, Rogers is playing with the confidence that she has had since she got the call to come play at Tennessee.
“I could hear how confident they were that I was going to be successful and a good fit for the team,” Rogers said. “That initial spark and hearing that the coaches had so much confidence and belief in that I could have an impact on the team.”
If tonight is just a sample of what Rogers is capable of doing for Tennessee, things are looking up for the Lady Vol offense. Not only was her power felt from the front row, but the sophomore outside hitter also made adjustments and became effective from anywhere on the court.
“I think she had them on their heels a bit early on there in the match and then she kinda started to go off speed as the match went on,” Rackham Watt said. “I was most impressed, and I was really happy about the back-row kills and the back-row attacking, as we’re going to need that as a part of our offense.”
Rogers was not the only transfer player to have a successful outing on Friday night. Coastal Carolina transfer Jalyn Stout made her presence felt on the court as well. The senior opposite hitter recorded 13 kills, seven digs and three assists in her debut as a Lady Vol.
“It’s so impressive how good she is at all those skills,” setter Caroline Kerr said. “You just don’t see people like that be able to perform that many skills at such a high level. She’s so fun to play with and makes my job so easy.”
At the heart of this offense is All-American setter Kerr, who is one of the only players returning from last season’s roster. Kerr opened her final season on Rocky Top with 37 assists, four kills, three aces, and five digs.
“She’s so aggressive; she brings life to our team…I wish I could have so many more years with her, but I’m grateful for the one that I do get. I think it’s going to be a really good year,” Rogers said.
As one of the only players to play under Rackham Watt and the “quarterback” of the offense, Kerr will be the key to any success this team hopes to achieve.
“It’s hard to put into words how much a fifth-year All-American setter does for your team in terms of the cohesion and the way things just click and work,” Rackham Watt said. “Some of the stuff she does out there, I think she makes look easy, but it’s extremely difficult and complex.”
One of Rackham Watt’s returning players was not available on Friday. Senior outside hitter Mackenzie Plante, who was fourth on the team last season with 182 kills, did not play.
“We should have her back soon; she’s doing great; we’ve just been conservative, but she should be back,” Rackham Watt said.
The Lady Volunteers will not have to wait long before they take the court again in the Food City Center. The team will have a quick turnaround and face a doubleheader on Saturday.
“It’s a quick turnaround for us again, minimal prep and minimal scouting, so a lot of the focus will be on our side of the net with what we’re doing,” Rackham Watt said. “I was just happy how aggressive we came out, and I think it will be the same tomorrow.”
UP NEXT: Tennessee Volleyball will face off against Morehead State at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Lady Vols will return to the court in the evening in their final competition of the Tennessee Invite against Fairfield at 6 p.m.