By Lily Helton
Eve Rackham Watt has turned Tennessee volleyball into a Southeastern Conference powerhouse. She has led the team to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and become one of the program’s winningest head coaches.
None of that would have been possible without setter Caroline Kerr, who celebrated her 4,000th career assist Friday night in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Kerr celebrated by leading the Lady Volunteers to a sweep of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
“Every single day she models what it looks like to be competitive, a great teammate, accountable, responsible,” Rackham Watt said. “She does everything the right way all the time.”
From the beginning
The Champaign, Illinois, native played her first full season in 2023, finishing with 1,254 assists and earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. She guided the Lady Vols to a 31-5 record, helping the team finish in the top 10 of the national rankings for the third time in program history. From there, Kerr was off to the races.
“She is a relentless competitor,” Rackham Watt said. “Always has been since the day she got here.”
Kerr has earned seven SEC Setter of the Week honors, landed on the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List three consecutive years and surpassed 4,000 career assists.
Current production
In the 2026 season, she has recorded 80 kills and 739 assists while commanding an offense that has secured five consecutive sweeps against SEC opponents. She contributes on defense as well, totaling five solo blocks and 20 digs. Kerr has also emerged as a primary locker room leader and mentor for the team’s seven freshmen.
“I try to give them my experience while also letting their talent shine,” Kerr said.
Up Next: Kerr will be a major contributor to the Lady Vols’ success as her final postseason run approaches. Tennessee next takes the court at 2 p.m. Sunday against the Alabama Crimson Tide.