Bjorklund closer to comeback

Angie Bjorklund made it through a Tennessee women's basketball practice Friday, putting the sophomore guard that much closer to making her first appearance of the season.

Bjorklund has been sidelined with a bulging disc in her lower back.

The next step is getting through a second consecutive workout today. If that happens, Bjorklund likely will be a game-time decision before a 3 o'clock tipoff Sunday against DePaul at Thompson-Boling Arena.

"It all plays into the scheme,'' said Jenny Moshak, the Lady Vols associate athletic director for sports medicine. "We get more info, we'll know what we need to do."

Fellow Lady Vols Kelley Cain and Alicia Manning, who are sidelined with concussions, also are making progress. They went through a 45-minute cardiovascular workout Friday without any repercussions. They will practice today and, barring any setbacks, will be examined before Sunday's game by Dr. Rebecca Morgan, the team physician.

Of the three, Bjorklund is the most experienced player. She made 68 3-pointers last season. After five games this season, the Lady Vols are shooting 25 percent (19 for 74) from behind the 3-point line.

"I think she'll give us the 3-point range and take pressure off the other shooters so that they might shoot better,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said.

Senior forward Alex Fuller, meanwhile, is not on the injury report, but she is wearing some padding on her left arm and wrist to protect it from contact.

"It was bothering her for awhile, we treated it, it went away, then it started bothering her again,'' Moshak said. "So we're back to treating. It hurts her when she hits in that area."

Lady Vols History Book: In time for Christmas shopping, "The University of Tennessee Basketball Vault The History of the Lady Vols", will be in stores in December.

The book is written by Debby Jennings, the Lady Vols' associate athletic director for media relations, and includes a forward by Summitt.

Along with the narrative, there are photographs and replicas, such as letters from basketball legend Michael Jordan and former UT football coach Johnny Majors, recognizing the Lady Vols' accomplishments.

Scouting Report: DePaul (4-1), which played host to Illinois State on Friday night, is led in scoring by junior guard Deirdre Naughton, who was averaging 18.6 points per game. The Blue Demons were averaging 79 points per game and outrebounding their opposition by nearly 13 per game.

The Lady Vols spent Friday's practice preparing for the different defensive alignments they might see from the Blue Demons.