Booker T. Washington once said, “You must not judge a man by the heights to

which he has risen, but by the depths from which he came.”

With its inaugural season just last year, the Lady Vols soccer team truly

has soared from the depths of a first-year Division-I program. Improving

their record to 11-8 this season, the Lady Vols are quickly gaining

respect.

While they are not yet contenders for the national title, Tennessee is

becoming an increasing threat to the soccer world. Every tireless day spent

running sprints, lifting weights and working drills brings the athletes

closer to the realization of their potential.

Coming to the University of Tennessee only two short years ago, they have

quickly adapted to the Orange and White and excelled as both athletes and

scholars. However, four of these dynamic individuals have concluded their

run as collegiate competitors and must bid farewell to their

teammates.

While seniors Holly Kimble, Jodie Hanlon, Bethany Himel and Debbie

Markovich have played integral roles in the development of the program,

their time to say goodbye has come.

Taking with them the fondest memories, the girls will leave their team but

remain Lady Vols forever. While the excitement for the program’s future

builds, the coaches and returning players find it difficult to bid farewell

to the seniors. Leaders on the field and off, the void left by these

graduating athletes will be a challenge to fill.

“Jodie and Bethany brought maturity to the team and gave us a sense of

balance,” said assistant coach Michelle Bertocchi.

Hanlon transferred to UT from a successful career at SUNY Binghamton, while

Himel joined the Lady Vols after attending UT for her first two years.

Having just two seasons with the budding program, all four women have left

their mark on Tennessee soccer. Although the stay was short, they take with

them the knowledge that they were a part of the first-ever Lady Vols soccer

team. While that may not seem like such a great accomplishment today, the

girls are confident the team will soon be a powerhouse in the conference

and, ultimately, the nation.

“I’m so glad to be a part of the first team,” Markovich said. “I only wish

I had four years here.”

Markovich, who came to Tennessee from the College of Du Page, has emerged

as a role model for her team. Her extraordinary talent, drive and

dedication has benefited the program in multiple ways. Navigating the Lady

Vols from the forward position, she became an offensive threat with seven

goals and five assists.

“Debbie is an inspiration to be around,” said head coach Charlie MacCabe.

“She has been an outstanding contributor to our team.”

While the ability of a player is not always evident in the statistics,

Markovich did manage to score a last goal to punctuate the final game of

her career. In the bittersweet Nov. 2 match, sophomore Melissa Covington

was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Vols. Without

hesitation, Covington looked at Markovich and told her to take the kick.

Overwhelmed with her teammate’s selflessness, Markovich drilled the ball

past the goalkeeper and into back of the net.

“I ran to Melissa and gave her a big hug,” said an emotional Markovich.

“That was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me. To hear all our fans

cheer for me one last time was really incredible”

While closing one chapter in her athletic career, Markovich along with

teammate Kimble hope to continue competing with the newly formed

professional women’s soccer leagues.

Kimble, a native of Michigan, transferred to UT from Schoolcraft College in

1996. The impressive midfielder shares Markovich’s emotion as they

reluctantly turn in their Orange and White jerseys and move on.

“To be involved with women’s athletics at the University of Tennessee is

such a great opportunity.” Kimble said. “With the dedication of our

coaching staff and players, we have already seen a drastic improvement from

last season.”

Kimble, who missed six games of her final season due to ankle injuries,

credits her decision to attend UT as the best one she ever made. Despite

her sidelining sprain, Kimble maintained her strong contribution to her

team, with three goals and four assists — including one game-winner.

Hesitant to pack her bags, Kimble reflects on her experience at

Tennessee.

“For the rest of my life I will be a Lady Vol and will look back and be so

proud to have been a part of the first soccer team here,” she said.

While MacCabe notes that it will be difficult to replace the leadership of

Kimble and Markovich, he is eager to watch his team take off from the

foundation they helped to build.

Evident by Tennessee’s increasing success is the recent honor bestowed on

sophomore transfer Kendyl Michner and junior Kassie Kees. The duo was named

to the 1997 All-SEC second team.

Michner, a sophomore from Germantown commanded the Orange and White

offense, scoring a team-record of 10 goals this season, five of which were

game-winners.

Equally successful on the opposite end of the field, Kees was a dominant

force behind the Lady Vol defense. Starting every game at sweeper, Kees was

also named SEC Player of the Week for her impressive play in early

September.

Another key player for the Vols is freshman Laura Lauter, who set the team

record for most shots taken in a season with 56. The Farragut native, who

once held the Tennessee state record for goals scored, netted eight for the

Lady Vols this season.

With the goal scorers receiving most of the glory, those who protect the

goal must not be overlooked. Led by sophomore goal keepers Sarah Shivley

and Kimberly Hull, the Big Orange defenders finished with an impressive

seven shutouts. Shivley, who finished fourth in the SEC in overall goals

scored against, posted 68 saves this season.

“Sarah has really established a sense of trust with the team. She has

earned their respect as a goalkeeper and is ready to play to her

potential,” Bertocchi said.

Indicative of the overwhelming improvement in the level of play was the

final two games of the season. The Lady Vols rolled over both Florida State

and Texas, both teams that they had fallen to last year. The win against

Texas, which is a top-25 team, proves Tennessee’s capacity to play with the

best.

“We knew we weren’t going to come out and win a national championship in

our first year, but we want to build our program and eventually be in the

position to win that title,” MacCabe said.

While it is their ability to sneak the ball past the opponent’s goalkeeper

and the protection of their own goal that will lead them to victory,

Tennessee’s overwhelming fan support must not go unnoticed.

The Lady Vols, who lost only two of their nine home games, are pleased with

the community’s response to the program.

“We could not have done as well without Tennessee’s commitment to women’s

soccer,”MacCabe said.

The dedication of their fans will no doubt be magnified by the team’s

continued success. With the commitment of the players, coaches, trainers

and academic support staff, the Lady Vols soccer team can only get

better.

Athletics director Joan Cronan is pleased with the team’s initial approach

to success and looks forward to watching them flourish.

“Over the past two years they have built a very solid base and have

outstanding young ladies to take us forward,” Cronan said.

Cronan trusts that the great coaching ensemble of MacCabe, Bertocchi and

Angie Kelly will take the Lady Vols to the top 10 in the near future.

As for the contribution of the graduating seniors, Cronan is appreciative

for their commitment to success.

“I am so pleased that they could be a part of the building blocks of such a

wonderful program,” Cronan said.

Emerging quickly from the depths of a young an inexperienced program,

Markovich foresees the team’s rise to great heights.

“They are like my sisters, my best friends and my family; we have been

together from the beginning,” Markovich said. “I know that our team will

soon be unstoppable”

With this year’s competition finished, the team has already begun to

prepare for success in its ’98 season. Knowing the greatness that their

future holds, the Lady Vols are eager to get back in action.

Although unable to continue the journey with their team, Markovich, Kimble,

Hanlon and Himel will cherish the experience and be forever faithful to the

Orange and White.