Hornbuckle is making her point

KNOXVILLE — Even if Alexis Hornbuckle listens most of the time, she still sees the occasional opportunity to deviate from the coaches' plan.

Early in the second half of the Lady Vols' 67-49 win over Kentucky on Sunday, Hornbuckle heard the voice coming from behind her.

''Dribble middle … dribble middle,'' came the shout from Coach Pat Summitt.

Hornbuckle knew she had a better option. She snuck a pass underneath the basket to an awaiting Tye'sha Fluker, who laid it in for an easy basket.

It's improvisation that has made Hornbuckle an impact player as a freshman, but it's the fact she listens that caused Summitt move her into the starting point guard spot.

''I don't feel that I've been that tough on her because of how receptive she's been to really embracing that position,'' Summitt said.

As No. 5 Tennessee (13-3, 3-0 SEC) travels to South Carolina (6-13, 0-5) for a 6 p.m. tip-off, Hornbuckle will start for the second consecutive game.

''I am like the queen of questions when I don't understand something,'' Hornbuckle said. ''(Summitt) can tell when I don't really understand.''

Hornbuckle struggled to understand Summitt's expectations on defense her first few months on campus.

But when senior point guard Loree Moore was sidelined for a month after a tonsillectomy, Summitt had no other option but to start Hornbuckle.

The Lady Vols' other true point guard, freshman Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood, was recovering from tendinitis.

Hornbuckle started five games during that stretch, and had moments of brilliance (17 points and five steals against Louisiana Tech on Dec. 15) as well as rough times (3-of-12 shooting in a 65-51 loss to Rutgers on Dec. 29.)

When Moore returned to action against UConn on Jan. 8, she took back her starting job.

However, some uninspired starts in the next two games led Summitt to give Hornbuckle a chance against Kentucky.

Tennessee opened that game on a 22-2 run.

''I love the way we started the game (Sunday),'' Summitt said. ''I complimented Lex right after the game. That was big. Her play was one of the reasons I felt like we got off to a good start.''

Hornbuckle was recruited to play the off-guard position, but so far this season, she has switched between both guard positions and even has played some at small forward.

The constant changes haven't affected the freshman much. She is leading the team in assists, blocks and steals, and she is fourth on the team in scoring.

''I don't think it's been difficult with me,'' Hornbuckle said. ''It's been a true learning experience. At one point in your career, you're going to come off the bench. You're going to start. You're going to be in one position. You're going to be in the next.

''For me to get all that in one year in a short amount of time, I think that's great.''