University of Tennessee Athletics
Final NCAA RPI Release Tabs 2007 UT at No. 2
September 12, 2007 | Softball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ??? The Tennessee Lady Vol softball team (63-8) completed its memorable run through the 2007 campaign at No. 2 according to the final release of the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). Boosting UT???s position in the ranking was a challenging schedule that saw the Big Orange post the best record in the nation (43-8) against Top 100 teams in the RPI. Tennessee was also a sterling 31-7 versus squads in the top 50 and tied for third in the country in victories over Top 25 RPI squads with 16 in 23 total match-ups.
The RPI is a ranking based on a weighted combination of team record, poll standing and strength of schedule that is released weekly throughout the season.
The ever-strengthening Southeastern Conference had five schools crack the final Top 25 in the RPI. Joining Tennessee in the individual listing were Alabama (No. 8), LSU (No. 9), Florida (No. 11) and Georgia (No. 25).
During last year???s 71-game campaign, the Lady Vols matched up against 20 squads that were ranked in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) top 25 poll at game-time and 11 programs that were rated in the nation???s top 10. In those high-profile meetings, Tennessee recorded a pair of wins over then-No. 1 Alabama (9-2, 4-0), No. 4 Arizona (1-0, 3-0), No. 19 Florida (1-0, 3-1) and No. 12 Hawai???i (9-0, 7-1) and victories over then-No. 12 UCLA (6-1), No. 22 Fresno State (5-0), No. 6 LSU (2-1), No. 7 Texas A&M (2-0) and No. 6 Northwestern (3-0).
The Big Orange also had a program record-tying 16 games broadcast on television in 2007 via ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FOX Sports Net or Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS). Since heading to Oklahoma City, Okla., for the first time in program history to participate in the 2005 Women???s College World Series, the Tennessee Lady Vol softball team has appeared on TV an amazing 37 times with 28 of those games nationally broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.
Venturing closer to the 2008 season, Tennessee co-head coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly are preparing to welcome back 12 letterwinners and five position starters from last season???s record-setting 63-8 run to a second-place national finish.
Among the group returning to Rocky Top is two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American senior Tonya Callahan (.385, 16 doubles, 11 HR???s, 60 RBI in 2007), UT???s career home run leader (35). Also returning are senior catcher Shannon Doepking, a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2007 after hitting .278 with eight doubles, six HR???s, 28 RBI, sophomore utility player and 2007 SEC All-Freshman choice Tiffany Huff (.339, 11 doubles, six HR???s, 58 RBI), senior second baseman Kenora Posey (.272, 29 stolen bases) and junior first-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American Lillian Hammond (.414, .469 on-base percentage, 14 stolen bases).
With the departure of four-time NFCA All-American hurler Monica Abbott, experienced senior pitcher Megan Rhodes (13-3, 1.50 ERA, 186 K???s in 2007) will be looked to for big contributions and leadership from the circle. Junior Danielle Pieroni and freshman Ashton Ward (Charlotte, N.C.) will be counted on to provide pitching support.
The Big Orange will open its 2008 season with a trip to Cathedral City, Calif., over Feb. 8-10 to compete in the Cathedral City Kickoff at Big League Dreams.
