For the Tennessee Volunteer softball team, expectations never change.
It does not matter who the starting pitchers are. It does not matter if two-thirds of the roster is comprised of underclassmen. With a program that has appeared in seven of the past 11 Women’s College World Series, high-quality performance is expected.
The Vols enter the 2016 season underneath the same set of expectations. One year after compiling a 47-17 record, Tennessee is the No. 8 team in the country, according to USA Today.
Head coach Karen Weekly understands what she has helped build at Tennessee. The program is one of the most consistent in the country. However, that does not distort Weekly’s view of the current squad. She knows that putting this young squad through a grueling non-conference and SEC schedule might yield mixed results.
“It is a tough schedule, but I’d rather do that and test them every time out,” Weekly said. “Maybe we’re going to take some losses and I kind of expect that we may lose more games than our fans are used to.”
An abundance of new faces on any team will change the style of play. Last season, the Vols hit a team-record of 100 home runs. This season, Weekly would be pleasantly surprised if Tennessee approaches that number.
“For the past two years I think our offensive approach needed to change because we didn’t have the speed players,” Weekly said. “We’ve got more players who bring more speed to the table on this team.”
With a shortage of power hitters, the Vols will focus more on bunting and slapping this season, as well as on limiting the player’s swings to bring more versatility to the offense.
The addition of 11 freshmen players and change in offensive style is balanced by veteran leadership. The Vols welcome back seven starters from last year’s College World Series.
The most notable returning starter is Rainey Gaffin. Last season, Gaffin was not only Tennessee’s ace, compiling a record of 17-4 and and ERA of 2.17, but she was one of the most consistent batters in the line-up, batting .315 while finishing second on the team on hits and runs scored. Her versatility led to widespread preseason recognition, most notably being selected as a member of the preseason All-SEC First-Team.
However, Gaffin refuses to let accolades and honors alter her approach to softball.
“This year is a new year,” Gaffin said. “Those honors were from last year. This year is a new year.”
Gaffin’s impact on the team goes beyond her play on the field. She is also someone the younger players look to for advice.
“A big thing I told them is Fall is nothing compared to season,” Gaffin said. “Don’t make anything bigger than it is. The game is still the same. Catch the ball, throw the ball, hit the ball. That doesn’t change.”
Gaffin isn’t the only veteran. Weekly feels that Lexi Overstreet and Shaliyah Geathers have been overlooked.
The question of who was going to start at catcher for the Vols was widely debated throughout the offseason. The Weeklys, however, knew the answer to that question all along, praising Overstreet for her defensive abilities.
On the other hand, Gathers became an effective offensive weapon for the Vols last season, finishing second on the team in batting average (.320), fourth in hits (56), and third in doubles (12).
The Vols open up the season on Feb. 11th in the warm weather of Tempe, Arizona. The trip is certainly no vacation, as the youthful Vols will not only be tested by their opponents, but also by the Tennessee teams of the past that have set the bar so high.
