The 35th edition of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball with head coach Pat Summitt at the helm took to the court tonight at the Pratt Pavilion practice facility on the Brenda Lawson Court.
The first official practice of the 2008-09 season for the defending NCAA Champs saw 11 players go through a lively and spirited session. Only sophomore Vicki Baugh, who is still somewhat limited following surgery last May to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, served as a sideline spectator while rehabbing her knee.
Six newcomers joined six returnees for the opening day of team practice. The session was punctuated by a great deal of teaching and breakdown drills for the youngest team in Summitt's tenure on Rocky Top. Newcomers Briana Bass, Alyssia Brewer, Amber Gray, Glory Johnson, Alicia Manning and Shekinna Stricklen were sponges absorbing every defensive dictate and drill and all appeared to be quick studies.
The biggest smiles in the gym might have belonged to a couple of players who redshirted last season due to injuries. Redshirt sophomore point guard Cait McMahan was back on the floor after a year's absence following surgery on June 6, 2007, to repair articular cartilage damage in her right knee. "I can tell you it felt great getting back out on the court tonight," said McMahan. "We've got a young team but there is so much talent. It will be an exciting season."
Also sitting out last season was redshirt freshman Kelley Cain, a 6'6" center who was recovering from surgery in December 2007 to address and correct the patella subluxation of her knee. "Finally!" said Cain. "I was so ready for this day to come. I thought we all did a pretty good job for the first full practice."
McMahan and senior forward Alex Fuller are the only upperclassmen in the group. Joining them are a trio of sophomores including Baugh, Angie Bjorklund (the returning SEC Rookie of the Year) and Sydney Smallbone who all benefitted from a great deal of experience playing on the 2008 NCAA Championship team.
The enthusiastic start was not lost on the head coach. "I really liked the pace of practice tonight with this group. They are athletic and have great quickness rim-to-rim," commented Summitt. "The first thing that I noticed was good team speed in the drills. For such a young group, I'm also impressed with their on-court communication. All in all, a good start."
The Lady Vols return to the court at Pratt Pavilion tomorrow morning. A public practice will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena on Sat., Oct. 25. The time will be announced after kick-off for the UT-Alabama football game is set.
Tennessee's first exhibition game is slated for Nov. 6 in Thompson-Boling Arena versus Carson Newman at 7 p.m.
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