Seniors avoid upset bid

Sunday afternoon's match against South Carolina in Thompson-Boling Arena had all the necessary criteria for a trap match for the Tennessee volleyball team.

But it didn't take long for the Lady Vols to crush any of the Gamecocks' upset hopes.

UT cruised in the first set en route to sweeping South Carolina, 25-10, 25-19, 25-14.

"We were on such an emotional and physical high (after Friday), sometimes it's tough to get up to play a team that is not having the year that they want to have," UT coach Rob Patrick said.

UT (22-7, 15-4 SEC) was coming off a spirited win over nationally ranked Florida in front of the third-largest crowd in school history Friday night and plays host to SEC leader Kentucky on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale.

Add to that the sentimental pre-match Senior Day festivities for Carol Cheade, Farren Powe, Chloe Goldman and Kylie Marshall, and all the typical parts of an upset were present.

But the Lady Vols used those emotions to their advantage, jumping out 6-1 from the first serve and scoring six consecutive points after the Gamecocks (14-15, 5-14) made it 11-7.

"We had a little edge in that it was Senior Night," Patrick said. "We challenged our players. Our seniors deserve us to play great for them, and they did."

The second set was UT's toughest challenge after South Carolina overcame runs of 9-2 and 5-1 to tie it at 19. But Marshall's kill sparked a 6-0 run to close the set.

UT scored the first five points of the third set and never led by less than four points.

Sophomore Kayla Jeter (19) and junior Nikki Fowler (16) combined for 35 of Tennessee's 49 kills, but the day belonged to the four seniors.

"It's neat," Patrick said. "I'm really happy for them. They come in as older girls and they leave as young ladies. What Senior Night brings back to my mind is that transformation."

"Definitely a lot of emotions because you put in so much time and energy and you grow such great relationships with your teammates and your coaching staff," Marshall said. "It's almost part of your family."

The four seniors have helped UT win more than 60 percent of its matches the last four years, including back-to-back 20-win seasons. The group likely will play in its third NCAA tournament when the field for this year's tournament is announced next Sunday.

"I'm very proud of them," Patrick said. "The thing I remember is how hard they worked, how much they've sacrificed for this program, for the school. They've represented the University of Tennessee in amazing ways."

Patrick Brown is a freelance contributor.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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