When Lady Vol freshman defender Erica Griffin began playing soccer at age 10, she knew nearly nothing about the sport.

Eight years later, Griffin’s knowledge of the sport has increased by leaps and bounds.

“I started playing soccer when I was 10,” Griffin said. “I had no idea what soccer was about or how to play…all I knew was you could not touch the ball with your hands.”

When Tennessee travels to Gainesville tonight for a contest against league rival eighth-ranked Florida, Griffin’s skills on the soccer field will be in the spotlight against a strong Gator offensive attack.

Despite arriving on UT’s campus just over two months ago, Griffin has quickly carved herself a starting role. She’s excelled there – playing every minute of UT’s nine games thus far alongside senior All-American Keeley Dowling.

Her early success may have been a surprise for some. But not for Griffin or for UT coach Angela Kelly.

“I’m not surprised at how quickly I entered the starting lineup,” Griffin said. “I knew what kind of player I could be for the program when I came here.

“I worked very hard all summer and in preseason to get to where I am now. I still have so much to improve on, but it is coming sooner than later for me.”

Kelly believes Griffin’s dedication makes her the ultimate player to coach.

“Erica Griffin is an unbelievable talent,” Kelly said. “I feel like I really just tossed her straight into the fire when she got here. I feel like I yell at her every single second of every game.

“I couldn’t be more elated with her performances that she is giving me day-in and day-out. All she says is ‘Yes, ma’am’ and ‘No, ma’am’ and she gets the job done. As a coach, you are always so grateful for a player like that.”

Griffin’s reasons for that dedication are simple – a desire to make her family proud.

“Everything I do, I do it for my family,” Griffin said. “I’m the first college athlete in my family, and that means so much to them.

“They want me to be successful more than anything, and I want to be successful for them more than anything. I know that I have to work hard and be the best so that they won’t be disappointed, because that is what they expect for me and I would never let them down.”

Committing to Tennessee was an easy decision for Griffin, who believes that her dreams are shared by the program.

“There were several other schools I could have attended, but none of them had the same mentality or goals that I have,” she said. “Tennessee wanted what I wanted, for myself and for the team.

“In coming here, I knew that everyone felt the same way I felt.”

Her biggest inspiration, though, came into her life long before she headed to Knoxville.

“The biggest influence I have had on the field has been Shegun Adeleke,” Griffin said. “I have been training with him for four years now. He’s a former member of the Nigerian National team and he played college soccer at Texas A&M, where he still holds the scoring record.

“He taught me that I can be one of the best; to never be intimidated by anyone no matter who it is; and to always be respectful of my teammates, opponents and coaches.”

Those lessons have carried over into her young UT career and started Griffin on a path that could see her ultimately achieve her goals.

She considers herself fortunate to have the chance to do so.

“Tennessee is just everything that anyone could ask for,” Griffin said. “I am lucky enough to get the opportunity to play for them.”