In the last four years, the Lady Vols have seen remarkable and, at times, difficult alterations to the program.
Whether it’s been the transition from Pat Summitt to Holly Warlick as head coach, to new additions or injuries that affected the team, seniors Taber Spani and Kamiko Williams have been through it all together.
Their relationship began in 2009 when both players made the move to Rocky Top to pursue the collegiate career as a Lady Vol under head coach emeritus Pat Summit. It started out a bit rocky.
“We’ve grown a lot and we talk about this all the time. It’s really night and day, the difference between our relationship freshman year and now,” Spani said. “We are very different and we still are very different, but I think we found a way to respect each other.”
Spani and Williams admitted to a tolerating friendship early on in their relationship, but as Senior Day approaches and graduation looms ahead, both reminisce about their years together.
“I just love her and it’s mutual,” Spani said. “I think leadership that we’ve both hopefully provided has helped. I think the fact that we are different and we do bring different things, that’s always a good thing. You try to channel the best of what we both have to offer. It’s been amazing being here and having four years with her.”
But still the ever approaching end to college basketball approaches. Spani said she’s just trying to enjoy the remainder of her time at UT and Williams is just trying to keep her emotions in check.
“Everyone says it flies by so fast, but it really is true,” Spani said. “It’s amazing and I’m really just trying to enjoy every single moment that we have. It’s an awesome opportunity.”
Warlick said the two have had more of an impact on the team than she ever thought possible.
“I just remember them coming in and being so young and inexperienced,” she said. “To see Taber, a maturity about her and getting an opportunity to play and lead this team and Kamiko coming in and the more she’s been involved in this program and the more we’ve needed her, I think she’s understands the importance of being here and playing well for us.
“Both have done a phenomenal job of leading on and off the court. That’s what we ask them to do, that’s what seniors are supposed to do. They’re supposed to lead. They’ve led by example and I’m very proud of them.”
For Spani, playing for the Lady Vols has become something much more than an experience or a challenge or opportunity. She said she didn’t know how to put her emotions into words.
“I don’t think I can put it into words what it’s meant to me. It’s been so special,” she said of her time at UT. “To be a part of this is more than tradition and family, it’s something that is really special to me. I’ll miss it.”
On Thursday, the team will face Texas A&M in their last home game at Thompson-Boling Arena this season. But there’s more on the line than a win on Senior Day.
This match-up will mark the No. 8 Lady Vols’ chance to win the SEC regular season championship.
Spani said this was something that she and the team did not expect, but their hard work all season has paid off. Being a part of a young team this season and suffering several losses due to injury had no effect on their ability to compete.
Spani said this was because the team chose to focus on the team as a whole and where they thought their ability to compete was at.
“We didn’t really focus on the outside and what everyone was saying we believed in our team and what we could do this year,” Spani said. “It’s not done by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s exciting that we have the opportunity. We’ve put ourselves in a position (where) we want to be. We can win it on our home court outright. That’s special for our fans.”
But Williams and Spani don’t want their influence to end with graduation.
“We wanted to leave a legacy,” Spani said. “It was amazing because we were a part of Pat’s last team, we were a part of Holly’s first team. We didn’t look at it as a rebuilding year, we wanted Holly to start her career coaching-wise off on a great foot.”
Warlick said their success has been a matter of practice and the struggle to succeed.
“We made a commitment to work every day in practice and I think now you’re just seeing the result of starting off a young team and now a young, more mature and experienced team,” she said.
Spani said the game against No. 13 Texas A&M (21-7, 11-3 SEC) will only be another opportunity for the Lady Vols to show their strength and depth.
“I think this team is the most competitive and persevering team I’ve been on in the four years that I’ve been here. We’re never gonna give up,” she said. “We fight no matter what, no matter who’s on the floor and I think that’s a testament to the players we have here.”
