Progress encouraging Lady Vols' Baugh

Tennessee's Vicki Baugh can't always tell when progress is coming with her surgically repaired left knee but the junior forward has noticed a trend in the arrival.

"Every person is different but for me it's been bursts,'' said Baugh, who's recovering from a second anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction within a calendar year. "It seems like I'm just about stable for a while and then 'bam.' In a week, it will do some incredible things for me."

Enough bursts have arrived for Baugh to be encouraged about her prospects for this season. She's still regaining strength in her left leg and conceded to feeling "awkward" doing lateral movement. But she's noted significant improvement in just the past month.

"Who knows where I can be this week, next week, it's crazy,'' said Baugh, who underwent surgery in late February.

As for an overview, she said: "With the progress I'm having, I plan on getting out there this season, but I'm not making any decisions right now. I'm just going to take it a practice at a time and see how it feels."

After pulling herself early Saturday, Baugh participated in the majority of Monday's workout.

Holding Up: Sophomore Alyssia Brewer and freshman Kamiko Williams, who have been prime targets of UT coach Pat Summitt's criticism, aren't cowering in the line of fire.

"Last year, it would really get to me,'' Brewer said. "But this year, I take it like I need to take it and try to do what she tells me to do and try not necessarily to prove her wrong but show her what I am capable of doing.''

Williams is a glutton for punishment. After every practice, she calls her father, Vincent, who's a master sergeant in the U.S. Army. Like Summitt, he wasn't pleased with his daughter missing free throws at Saturday's practice and then hitting the ball in anger, resulting in extra running for the team.

"He went off on me,'' said Williams.

The 5-foot-11 guard said that she's benefited from UT associate head coach Holly Warlick's counsel.

"Holly keeps me level,'' Williams said.

Their Take: Like everyone else, the Lady Vols had an opinion on the black jerseys worn by the football team Saturday night.

"If it makes you win like that . . . " Baugh said.

Williams said black and pink jerseys would be her favorites.

Guard Briana Bass, however, favors the light blue worn as trim on their uniforms for an alternate jersey.

"I think the guys can do it,'' she said of wearing black jerseys. "I thought they looked cool. I think it was intimidating."

Injury Update: Freshman forward Faith Dupree, who has been out since last Thursday, missed Monday's practice with back spasms.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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