UT hits school record 15 3-pointers against reigning Southern Conference champs
The Lady Vols put together a stellar performance Monday, trouncing the Chattanooga Lady Mocs 103-43.
As the team came together to show its worth, the players proved the Lady Vols work unselfishly as a team and allow each player to have an opportunity to shine.
Coach Pat Summitt felt that the team worked well together and allows freshmen and seniors alike to give their all for UT.
“We were very unselfish, and we kept the ball moving,” Summit said. “It didn’t get stuck in many players hands, a couple, but for the most part they really shared it, and I think they have to feel good about themselves and how they played tonight.”
The team made 15 3-pointers and played a phenomenal game defensively. Senior Angie Bjorklund felt that the team showed improvement from its last outing.
“After the Louisville game, we watched a lot of film,” Bjorklund said. “I think the guards did a great job of moving without the ball more and playing more inside out. Instead of one-on-one, we were playing more as a team and also running and getting some transition points, so I thought we did a great job.”
The Lady Vols owned the court throughout the entire night and junior center Kelley Cain made it possible for outside shooters to shine. Bjorklund said that having Cain was a huge plus for the team and really opened up their guards.
“Having Kelley as a threat inside is huge for us,” Bjorklund said. “Not only is she going to score in there, but if they double- or triple-team her, it opens a lot of things for us for the 3-point shot.”
As the entire team was able to spread playing time, each individual’s strength showed on the court, but the overriding theme was the players’ ability to work as a team. Bjorklund said that the team worked together as a weapon against Chattanooga.
“I think when you’re surrounded by so many great players, it really helps,” Bjorklund said. “If someone is having a tough game, someone else is going to step up, and especially our bench came in and did a great job with scoring. It was overall team effort.”
Freshman Meighan Simmons proved to be an excellent addition to the team and continues to amaze coaches and teammates. Sophomore Taber Spani said that Simmons’ aggressive nature helped her compete on a Division-I level.
“Meighan has a very aggressive mindset, and I think that plays to her advantage,” Spani said. “She’s shooting the ball very well. She’s really helped us offensively the first two games. She’s confident, and I think that really helps her game a lot.”
Simmons scored 26 points against the Mocs and contributed five of the team’s school-record 15 3-pointers. Her performance as a freshman continues to surprise, and Summitt said she is very pleased that she chose Tennessee.
“I didn’t know that she would have this kind of an impact,” Summit said. “I knew she was a great athlete, but I didn’t know about her skill set, but she is very skilled, and she’s very confident to be a freshman. You don’t see that very often.”
The team isn’t stopping here. Even though this is only the beginning of the 2010 season, the Lady Vols are already looking forward to what they want to achieve, and a championship are definitely a factor.
“I think we have great chemistry, and we’re all really close,” Spani said. “Hopefully we all have the same goal, and I think that we do.
“We know that we want to get to Indianapolis and compete for a championship, and we realize that we’re going to need every single person to bring their game and their best to the table.”
