Angie Bjorklund wants to make a statement.
Ranked No. 3 in the nation and an undefeated 4-0 in SEC play, the junior guard wants her team to send a strong message in their next two games.
"I think the next two games is just time to make a statement that we are one of the top teams in the country," Bjorklund said Tuesday. "We need to make a statement, top team in the SEC. We just need to keep playing hard and play a 40-minute game."
That's been a little bit of an issue with UT coach Pat Summitt following close wins over Florida and Vanderbilt.
In both games, Tennessee jumped out to a quick first-half lead - eight points at Florida and 20 points against Vandy on Sundy - only to have both games go down to the wire.
"I'm pleased with where we are. I wasn't pleased with how we played in our last game against Vanderbilt," Summitt said. "I just thought we get up, we get a big lead and we get complacent. That's something a veteran team shouldn't do. The fact we don't have any seniors, that shouldn't impact how we play for 40 minutes."
Still, Tennessee has opened league play with a bang.
With two more wins, Tennessee will be 6-0 - and it will have defeated the six teams picked to finish directly behind it by league coaches in October.
Not that it will be easy, beginning with Thursday's trip to face No. 8 Georgia, which had been undefeated until losing 66-44 to Vanderbilt last week. Then on Sunday, the Lady Vols travel to LSU for the first meeting between the teams this season.
Win those two, and Tennessee will certainly have made a statement.
"They know Georgia is really, really good," Summitt said. "They know we've got two big games coming up with LSU, which we haven't talked about but they're aware of it. And certainly the coaches are."
I really enjoy watching the Lady Vols I live for this time of year. My question is when will Amber Gray and the other girls be back? Go Lady Vols looking for another championship year.
I hope we make a huge statement too...We need these 2 wins bad. The SEC should belong to these girls they have worked hard the off season and need to make sure to play hard all 40 mins and not get a big lead and blow it. Us the Lady Vol nation want you to put it to LSU and Georgia go Lady Vols....
After the heartbreaking lose in the 1st round of the tournament last year, i was devestated! I didn't know what to expect this season. It looks like the lady vols are finally coming together as a team! I am looking forward to a good run in the tournament this year. But please no more close games....my nerves can't take it! So go to Georgia and LSU and show them what those Tennessee Lady Vols are all about. Can't wait to see yall in person.....see you in Carolina.....GO VOLS!!!
they made a statement alright, they showed their weeknesses ans its in the guard play especially stricklin, glory johnson and kelly cain are by far the best players
I was at the game against Georgia. I am a huge fan of the Lady Vols and in no way a basketball expert but even I could see how one sided the game was. The Lady's got a basket in the last second of the game and they were denied that. The score should have been 53-52 not 53-50
I will not deny that the Ladys started out off their game and yes even sloppy, but after half time they found their footing and were playing well.
What hurt them was the Referees' bad calls. Even I could see the walks and fouls that Georgia was allowed with no penalty but if the Lady's even looked wrong they were hit with a penalty.
I look forward to seeing the Lady's meet Georgia again in an arena with refs that are not biased because I know they will win.
GO LADY VOLS TO NUMBER 9!!
April
Did anyone else notice that the broadcasters for ESPN U mentioned at great length Simone Augustus jersy retirement 9 times in the first half alone? Why do announcers no longer discuss the action in progress in a game?? Drives me crazy.