The Tennessee Lady Vols raised another championship banner before Friday
night’s opener against the University of Portland at Thompson-Boling
Arena.
However, it took the three-time defending national champions longer than
expected to dispatch a pesky Portland team which gave Tennessee some fits
with its zone defense.
The Lady Vols eventually cruised to a 94-57 victory, but not until they
were forced to pick things up a notch against the Pilots, who were more
than just happy to be there for the festivities.
In fact, the Lady Vols trailed for about five minutes midway through the
first half before catching their stride and rolling up a 10-point lead at
halftime.
“I wasn’t surprised at the first half,” said Lady Vols head coach Pat
Summitt, who began her 25th season at the Tennessee helm with her 665th
career victory. “We really lacked defensive intensity. You have to give
credit to Portland. They came out well prepared.”
The Lady Vols looked less than ready to play after the glitzy pregame
ceremony, which included a video tribute to last year’s 39-0 team, ring
presentations and, of course, the championship banner raising.
That was followed by a dizzying, lights-out starting line-up introduction,
complete with smoke, fireworks, spotlights and really loud music.
After a settling-in period, the Lady Vols turned things on and blitzed
Portland with an ever-present full-court press and stifling man-to-man
defense.
“In the second half we did a much better job defensively,” Summitt said. “I
felt like we really improved our play as the game progressed.”
The 1998 National Player of the Year Chamique Holdsclaw picked up where she
left off for Tennessee, scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds — not
to mention collecting four steals.
Tennessee (1-0) forced 30 Portland turnovers and converted them into 37
points. Semeka Randall had 18 points and was responsible for two of the
Lady Vols’ 18 steals.
Nancy Pompili led Portland (0-1) with 13 points. Kristin Hepton and Shannon
MacCormac each had 10 points for the Pilots.
Holdsclaw’s fellow All-American Tamika Catchings shook off a slow start to
finish with 11 points and eight boards.
Holdsclaw said the pregame show was a sign of the stature Lady Vols
basketball has attained.
“I just categorize it as big time,” she said. “There’s a lot of hype
surrounding this team. We can enjoy it but we can’t get caught up in
it.”
Freshman Michelle Snow had a solid game after a tough first few minutes.
The 6-foot-5 post player scored six points, had five rebounds and three
blocked shots.
“If she works hard and buys into the system, she could be one of the best
post players we’ve ever had here,” Holdsclaw said.
