It’s a busy week for Tennessee with five sports in competition.
Although the week is highlighted by men’s basketball starting their 2024 exhibition slate, soccer and volleyball will need to finish strong as both their seasons are nearing a close.
Oct. 24: Swimming, diving at Louisville
The Tennessee swimming and diving teams will dive into its 2024 season, facing off with the Louisville Cardinals. The Lady Vols open the season at No. 5, while the Vols are ranked No. 9. This will be the second year in a row the men enter as a top-10 team.
The ranked Cardinals will certainly present Tennessee with a challenge. The women’s team entered the season ranked No. 9 and won their first two meets. Similarly, the men’s team also won their first two meets after coming in at No. 13 in the preseason rankings.
Oct. 24: Soccer vs. South Carolina – 1 “T-Credit” opportunity
The Lady Vols will compete against South Carolina in their final regular season home game. Tennessee soccer has lost three in a row after starting the season 7-1-3. In that three-game skid, Tennessee has allowed 10 goals while only posting two of its own.
South Carolina will be a challenge for the Lady Vols as they fight for a playoff spot. The Gamecocks are 7-1-6 this season, including 4-1-2 in SEC play. Tennessee is 14-11-4 all-time against South Carolina, but hasn’t won since 2021.
Students who attend the game will be rewarded with one “T-Credit.”
Oct. 25-28: Women’s tennis Goodfriend Invitational
Women’s tennis will host the Goodfriend Invitational in Knoxville. Last outing, Catherine Aulia and Elza Tomase won the ITA Regional Doubles Championship, winning 44 of their 60 matches. Aulia also advanced to the singles semifinals after four consecutive victories.
The Lady Vols have had an impressive season thus far and look to continue their dominance in this weekend’s tournament.
Oct. 25: Volleyball at Florida
After hosting their last two matches at home, the volleyball team will hit the road this week. They fell to No. 15 Kentucky 3-1 last week, but finished strong by beating No. 25 Auburn 3-1 on Sunday. Tennessee has had its woes on the road, and although Florida is unranked, they are 13-5 this season.
The Lady Vols are 15-55-1 against Florida all-time, but they won 3-2 in their last matchup with the Gators last year. Tennessee must find some life in this matchup in a rough 2024 season.
Oct. 27: Soccer at Kentucky
The Lady Vols will head up to Lexington to play the Wildcats in the final stretch of the season. Tennessee will be looking for a crucial win against a good Kentucky team that is 10-2-4 this year.
Tennessee leads the all-time series against the Wildcats with a 17-12-4 record. The Lady Vols haven’t lost to Kentucky since 2014, posting a 5-0-4 record in the last nine years.
Oct. 27: Men’s basketball vs. Indiana – 1 “T-Credit” opportunity
The men’s basketball team will make their 2024 debut in Food City Center on Sunday afternoon for an exhibition game. All the proceeds from the game will go to the John McLendon Foundation, which supports minority students pursuing a post-graduate degree in sports administration. Tennessee is on a 25-game exhibition game win streak, which dates to 2011.
Indiana is 4-0 all-time against the Vols, but they have not met since 1985. This will also be Indiana’s first trip to Knoxville.
Students who attend this game will earn one “T-Credit.”
Oct. 30: Soccer at Florida
The Lady Vols will round out the regular season with Florida in Gainesville. This game, originally slated for Sept. 26, was postponed due to Hurricane Helene. The Gators are 4-5-6 this season, and 1-4-2 in SEC play. Tennessee needs to be able to finish strong to get a win in the last regular-season game of the year.
The Lady Vols are 15-18-3 against Florida but have found success lately, winning their last seven matchups dating to 2018.
