Experience is always a factor come postseason time.

And with their 79-59 victory over DePaul on Monday, the Lady Vols advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 23rd consecutive time – each year that the NCAA women’s tournament has been in existence.

Baylor, on the other hand, is making its first appearance in the round of 16. Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt said the program has grown tremendously under coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson.

“Watching her players, they are an extension of their coach with their aggressive play,” she said. “She has done a great job. She has taken that Baylor program to another level.”

Mulkey-Robertson, who spent time as a player and as an assistant under Louisiana Tech coach Leon Barmore, has led her team to a 24-8 record. All eight losses came against teams ranked in the top 25, including two losses to West No.1 seed Texas.

“Baylor is a team that has balance,” Summitt said. “They have a strong inside game. In particular, Sophia Young is going to be a challenge to our post defense.”

Young, a 6-foot-1 sophomore forward, leads the team with 16.9 points per contest. But Summitt said Lady Vol center Ashley Robinson should be the answer the Lady Vols need.

“With her level of play, she has an air of confidence,” Summitt said. “It is very contagious. Players that are in leadership role and take their game to another level, their peers see that.”

Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday night at 9:30.