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• Hosfield earns national award; Spigner honored in California
• Lady Vols finish No. 14 in fastpitch coaches' poll
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It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Tennessee softball team when it plays host to the U.S. Olympic Team this afternoon.

The 11th-ranked Lady Vols will compete against what's arguably the most talented team ever assembled at 3 o'clock today before a sold-out crowd at Lee Softball Stadium.

"We will see the game played at the highest level by experts,'' said UT coach Ralph Weekly, himself a two-time gold-medal winning Olympic coach.

"Obviously, it's the best team in the world,'' added Lady Vols pitcher Megan Rhodes. "I'll do my best, but it might not matter. They have put up outrageous numbers.''

The U.S. Olympic team is in the midst of its 45-city, 62-game "KFC Bound 4 Beijing Tour,'' and is 20-1 having outscored opponents 218-7. The only loss was to Virginia Tech on March 26.

UT fans know all about the outrageous numbers put up by one Olympian in particular: pitcher Monica Abbott.

The former Lady Vols' All-American left UT having set the NCAA's all-time marks for strikeouts, wins, shutouts, innings pitched, games started and appearances.

While today marks the official dedication of $7 million Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, those who follow UT softball recognize Abbott's homecoming is just as significant.

After all, as Weekly best put it, "This (stadium) is the house that Abbott built.''

Abbott, at 22 years old, is the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team despite having spent part of the past four years on the U.S National team.

"This is the highlight of the tour for me,'' said Abbott, who pitched three scoreless innings Tuesday night after Cat Osterman spotted Houston a 3-0 lead, forcing the Olympians to rally for a 10-3 victory. "I wish I had been able to play in this stadium while I was here, but I still feel pride that I'm somehow a part of it.''

Indeed, it's widely speculated that UT will eventually honor Abbott with a street name near the stadium (Abbott Circle?), as it has for many of the school's athletic greats.

Abbott said that while today's game is technically an exhibition, fans can expect her to bring her best against her former teammates.

"I know them really well, and they know me really well,'' Abbott said. "But it's still a game between the lines, so between those lines we can't be friends. But off the field, we'll be the best of friends for life.''

UT senior Tonya Callahan, who leads the SEC in home runs and slugging percentage, admits she is anxious for today's challenge.

"It's going to be exciting, but Monica is on the other team now, so that will be different for sure,'' Callahan said. "I'm not sure what to think about batting against Monica. I don't want to think about it too much, or I might psyche myself out.''

While Callahan has the benefit of having seen Abbott at work for three years, UT freshman sensation Jen Lapicki will be matched up with the 6-foot-3 fire-balling Abbott for the first time.

"I'm ready to do my best,'' Lapicki said. "It's not so much guess-work as it is sticking to the basics and moving my hands a little faster.''

Sophomore Tiffany Huff, who faced international competition while playing on the U.S. Junior team that won the Gold medal in the Netherlands last summer, seemed the least intimidated at the possibility of facing Abbott today.

"I'm just going to try to relax,'' Huff said. "I'll treat it like it's any other at-bat.''

And then she and her Lady Vols teammates will remember today's game for the rest of their lives.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.