Paityn Chapman earned her 250th career kill for Tennessee volleyball in the early goings of Thursday’s meeting against the Wofford Terriers.
Since her arrival on campus as a true freshman for the 2024 season, Paityn Chapman took the offense by storm, inserting herself as a key piece for not only her freshman season but the remaining years to come as well.
“She had a great freshman year,” Tennessee head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. “She’s continued to improve day after day. She’s one of the hardest workers on our team.”
After earning her way into the starting rotation, Chapman continued to rise, earning honors such as SEC Freshman of the Week on two different occasions. She finished behind Nina Cajic in total kills, with 225 on the year, and was second in blocks.
Chapman made big strides during her offseason, which saw her expand her game to much more than just the attack.
“Starting in the spring, we really spent a lot of time with her as a defender and a server and attacker around the back row,” Rackham Watt said. “And so you saw some of that tonight. She, you know, she’s kind of put in some time to that jump serve, she’s become a better back row attacker.”
The team’s first game of the season came against South Florida, and Chapman saw action in just one set — the third and final round — as the Lady Vols completed the sweep on opening night.
The team-runner-up in kills just a season ago received just one look of action, in which she delivered an impressive performance in limited time.
Chapman’s 2025 debut finished with four kills on just seven total attacks, good for a kill percentage of .429 on the day.
Despite the limited play time in the previous game, Chapman saw a large uptick in reps during game two against No. 15 Purdue. Chapman’s former career-high in kills total, 17 against Georgia last season, was snapped as she tallied 19 kills over three sets.
Her 19 kills came over a span of 29 attacks, good for a .621 hitting percentage on the day. She led the game in percentage while being third in the match in total attacks.
Despite being tied for the lead with Brynn Williams on the team in kills entering Thursday’s contest, Chapman had yet to record a start in the first two games.
Her luck changed for the better against Wofford, Chapman earned starting honors as her name was announced to a thunderous applause with the Lady Vols returning home.
“You root for her because she’s just such a brave player, but she’s an even better person,” Rackham Watt said. “And so every milestone that she hits, I’m proud of her.”
The sophomore seemed to be everywhere on the court Thursday against Wofford, and if she wasn’t involved, then the ball eventually was going to find Chapman. The matchup was also the first instance where Chapman was featured in all four sets played during the game.
Chapman finished her day with 13 kills over Wofford, including the game-clincher, assisted by Caroline Kerr.
“Her and I have a great relationship on and off the court,” Kerr said. “Having her back there, I love going to her, giving her the ball because I know she’s going to take a high and hard swing.”
While the stat line wasn’t as efficient as other outings this season, the sophomore Chapman still managed to tie for most kills alongside Williams yet again. Chapman had 33 total attacks during the contest.
“She’s got a great career in front of her,” Rackham Watt said. “It’s early in her sophomore year, but she’s worked for every bit that she’s gotten.”
Chapman and the rest of the Lady Vols return to the court Friday for a doubleheader against Winthrop and Samford.
