By Anna Reiffer
The Lady Vols showed out for Senior Day, giving their all as they swept the Alabama Crimson Tide three sets to zero.
With emotions high inside Food City Center, Tennessee came out ready to defend its home court, using an early offensive push to set the tone for the afternoon.
After two challenges through the first 10 points, the Lady Vols held the lead before Jalyn Stout’s first ace of the match lit up the arena.
The early momentum gave Tennessee a chance to build separation, but the Tide held their own for much of the opening set.
Kennedi Rogers helped lead the offense as the Lady Vols looked for openings in Alabama’s defense.
The Lady Vols eventually widened their lead, pulling away to claim the first set 25-17.
The Lady Vols carried that energy into the second set, only allowing the Tide four points through the first timeout.
Rogers continued to dominate at the net, while Chelsea Sutton helped strengthen Tennessee’s defensive presence. The Lady Vols’ success on both ends of the court made it hard for Alabama to find a rhythm.
The Crimson Tide added a few points to their tally, but nothing the Lady Vols couldn’t handle as they maintained their sizable lead.
Things got tense as the Tide closed to within four points, and the Lady Vols suddenly had a closer contest on their hands. However, they responded by widening their lead once again, creating their largest margin of the set as the teams approached the final stretch.
Jolene Oddo added to Tennessee’s offensive push with six kills and four blocks, while the Lady Vols continued to make their presence known.
Timely kills and defensive stops helped Tennessee close out the set and move closer to completing the sweep as they took the second set, again 25-17.
With two sets behind them, the Lady Vols looked to finish their home slate with an exclamation point as they headed into the third set.
However, the air got sucked out of the arena as the Lady Vols allowed the Tide to tie them at four points apiece.
What had been a strong start for the Lady Vols quickly turned into a battle as the Tide looked to keep its chances alive.
Neither side was willing to give up ground easily, and the Lady Vols had to work to maintain their advantage. The Lady Vols eventually found their footing, extending their lead as the set moved toward its final points.
Oddo added another kill late in the contest as Tennessee looked to close out the match with a 25-18 win.
The Lady Vols entirely dominated the Tide, completing the three-set sweep after a persistent and strenuous third set.
Ultimately, Rogers led Tennessee with 15 kills, followed by Stout with 10. Oddo also added six kills, while Sutton and Nia Hall anchored the defense at the net.
As a team, the Lady Vols recorded 43 kills, 10 blocks, and 36 digs while limiting Alabama to a .112 hitting percentage.
The victory was especially meaningful as Tennessee celebrated its seniors in front of its home crowd.
Another highlight was a milestone for Raegan Burns, who recorded her 1,000th career dig as a Lady Vol.
From Rogers’ offensive production to the team’s defensive presence, the Lady Vols found ways to answer Alabama’s momentum-building efforts.
Despite the excitement of Senior Day, the Lady Vols still have work ahead as the season continues.
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols now turn their attention to the Georgia Bulldogs, whom they face Friday in Athens as the start of the final weekend of the regular season.
With postseason aspirations in sight, Tennessee hopes to carry the momentum from its Senior Day sweep into the final stretch of the season.
“I think this team deserves to host the first and second round [of the NCAA tournament],” head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. “But we’ve got more volleyball to play.”