Saturday, October 15, 2005

LADY VOLS BEGIN OFFICIAL BASKETBALL PRACTICE :: First Exhibition Game In Less Than Four Weeks

Just four weeks away from their first exhibition game, the Lady Vol basketball team took the floor for the first official practice of the 2005-06 season. A crowd of several hundred fans welcomed the squad to "The Summitt" in the christening of the new court.

The two hour session began with basic skill work drills, including shooting from various ranges, passing and spacing. Assistant coach Dean Lockwood worked with the post players on box out drills.

"I liked our early play," said Lockwood. "We slipped a bit towards the end of practice but I liked our physicality and our energy early on. We'll continue to refine and polish our technique and skills as the season approaches."

The team played five-on-five full court, using team members as the defenders for the first time since workouts began in August. The workout featured high energy and was met by enthusiastic applause from the onlookers.

Sybil Dosty, still nursing a strained quadricep, worked on endurance by riding the exercise bike on the sidelines.

"The first hour and fifteen minutes we looked strong and sharp," said head coach Pat Summitt. "The second half of practice, you could tell that we were a little over-anxious, we went emotionally flat early in the evening."

The Lady Vols return to the hardwood Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena.

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