Tennessee extended its run Monday as the only team to make every NCAA tournament, earning its lowest seed ever, No. 5, guaranteeing a tough road to a third consecutive title.

The Lady Vols will play Ball State in their opener at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 local) on Sunday following the No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones against the No. 13 ETSU Buccaneers. Both games can be seen on ESPN2.

"I'm really not surprised," coach Pat Summitt said during the ESPN broadcast. "I thought we were probably a five seed."

Tennessee (22-10) had only been seeded fourth once -- in 1986. The team also took 10 losses into the tournament in 1997, grabbing a No. 3 seed and winning the title.

The Lady Vols have been a fixture atop the bracket since the first NCAA tournament in 1982. They've earned a top seed 19 times, a No. 2 seed four times and No. 3 seed three times. Tennessee has advanced to the regional semis every season.