Aug. 20, 2009

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With the first day of the University of Tennessee's 2009 fall semester and the opening of classes on Aug. 19th, the Lady Vol basketball team was back on the court for individual workouts on Thursday, Aug., 20th.

NCAA rules allow for individuals to work out with coaches for two hours a week in groups of four or smaller until Sept. 15th when coaches are allowed to conduct full team workouts for two hours a week.

"I was very pleased with our workout sessions today. I thought our upperclassmen did a great job of talking to the freshmen and letting them know what to do. The returnees came in here knowing what to expect," said Head Coach Pat Summitt. "I believe that the disappointment of how last season ended has really bothered them and pushed them through the summer. I can tell it hit them as hard as it hit the coaches; they are more invested, more focused and determined to get better."

Eight of the returnees were in action and all were eager to get back on the court. Junior Vicki Baugh was held out while she continues to rehab following knee surgery and redshirt-sophomore Kelley Cain was held out with a concussion in a non-athletic related incident.

"We worked hard today and you can tell the effort that we put in over the summer. Everyone`s attitude is great, our confidence is high and our conditioning is strong," said junior Angie Bjorklund. "We went through our testing this morning with Heather (Mason, Lady Vol Strength & Conditioning Coach) and everyone had a great performance. I'm very proud of the work we did over the summer in the gym on our own and in our strength and conditioning programs."

"We had a good workout today. We went hard and worked on the things we needed to work on. We focused a lot on defensive drills, which is what we needed. I feel great about the work we got done today," said sophomore Shekinna Stricklen.

Sophomore Briana Bass, who Coach Summitt indicated would be the starting point guard if the season began today, added "I thought as a team, we came out and made great strides today. We really showed off the hard work we put in over the summer in the gym and in our strength and conditioning. We each continue to improve our game and hopefully that will take us to our goal of winning a national championship."

New to Rocky Top and the Lady Vol basketball program are freshmen Faith Dupree, Taber Spani and Kamiko Williams. Each of the three newcomers echoed the excitement of being able to get out on the court with the coaches and show the work they had done over the summer.

"We waited all summer to get in here with the coaches and it's finally here; I'm really excited. This is my dream becoming a reality," said Spani. "I love the hard work, the focus and the intensity. You can tell what makes this staff and program special and why they've won eight national titles. I'm excited to go after number nine this year."

August 20 Post-Workout Comments:

Head Coach Pat Summitt:
"I was very pleased with our workout sessions today. I thought our upperclassmen did a great job of talking to the freshmen and letting them know what to do. The returnees came in here knowing what to expect and I believe that the disappointment of how last season ended has really bothered them and pushed them through the summer. I can tell it hit them as hard as it hit the coaches; they are more invested, more focused and determined to get better."

Junior Angie Bjorklund:
"We worked hard today and you can tell the effort that we put in over the summer. Everyone`s attitude is great, our confidence is high and our conditioning is strong. We went through our testing this morning with Heather (Mason, Lady Vol Strength & Conditioning Coach) and everyone had a great performance. I'm very proud of the work we did over the summer in the gym on our own and in our strength and conditioning programs."

Sophomore Briana Bass:
"I thought as a team, we came out and made great strides today. We really showed off the hard work we put in over the summer in the gym and in our strength and conditioning. We each continue to improve our game and hopefully that will take us to our goal of winning a national championship."

Sophomore Glory Johnson:
"I thought we came out with the intensity high and worked on the things we needed. Personally, I was working on being vocal and communicating and it was helpful having Faith here because we have played together before.

"It's exciting being back on the court and being able to show the coaches what we worked on all summer. Just because they weren't with us, it didn't stop us from working on our game. Just because Heather wasn't with us, it didn't stop us from working on our strength and conditioning. I know we all worked hard over the summer and it's good to be back on the court."

Sophomore Shekinna Stricklen:
"We had a good workout today. We went hard and worked on the things we needed to work on. We focused a lot on defensive drills, which is what we needed. I feel great about the work we got done today."

Freshman Faith Dupree:
"The intensity was a lot higher than what it was in high school and I learned that we need to be loud and communicate with everyone on the floor. Having gone through high school with Coach Collier (former Lady Vol and Webb School coach Shelley Sexton-Collier), I thought I would be somewhat ready for the first day, but things were definitely more intense than high school."

Freshman Taber Spani:
"We waited all summer to get in here with the coaches and it's finally here; I'm really excited. This is my dream becoming a reality. I love the hard work, the focus and the intensity. You can tell what makes this staff and program special and why they've won eight national titles. I'm excited to go after number nine this year."

Freshman Kamiko Williams:
"This was a very different experience from high school, but I enjoyed it. In only a day, I was able to learn a lot and know what I need to improve upon. I've never had to play defense like this, so that was clear that I need to work on that part of my game. The coaches are all very good with details and communicating exactly what they want us to do."