University of Tennessee Athletics
Excitement Building For Lady Vols' Opener
November 13, 2015 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE -- The #4/4 Tennessee women’s basketball team opens the 2015-16 regular season at home Sunday afternoon against Central Arkansas, and there is a lot of excitement in the air as Holly Warlick’s fourth edition prepares to hit the court.
The Lady Vols host UCA at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the first of eight straight home games to open the new season. UT will do so with nine letterwinners and three starters back from a team that went 30-6 and finished as SEC regular season co-champs. UT also welcomes a pair of talented freshmen to the mix as well as a marquee player in guard Diamond DeShields.
Not only will there be great entertainment on the court for fans, former Lady Vol Cait McMahan makes her return to Thompson-Boling Arena, this time as an in-house DJ for 11 home games. She will make her debut on Sunday vs. UCA and has return engagements slated for Nov. 23 (Chattanooga), Nov. 29 (Texas), Dec. 6 (Va. Tech), Jan. 7 (Florida), Jan. 21 (Vanderbilt), Jan. 31 (Alabama), Feb. 4 (Arkansas), Feb. 15 (South Carolina), Feb. 18 (Ole Miss) and Feb. 28 (Georgia).
The Maryville native, who played from 2006-2009 and was on two NCAA Championship teams, gravitated toward the entertainment industry after college. She is an up-and-coming recording artist, a DJ for ESPN’s College Gameday football show and an in-arena DJ for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.
“This opportunity is such a beautiful blessing,” McMahan said. “I am so thankful, once again, to be present and a part of the Lady Vol family. My goal is to increase the energy and environment, provide fun-positive entertainment and also contribute to the "6th Man" factors that our fans bring to the game.”
Warlick is anticipating an exciting atmosphere at The Summitt, where Tennessee has won its last 22 games.
“Lady Vol fans have long been the most passionate and supportive fans in the country,” Warlick said. “The addition of Cait’s talent and enthusiasm as well as some other fan engagement activities will help create an even better home-court environment for our team. We can’t wait to take the court on Sunday and get it started.” Regular single-game prices are $20 for 100 level reserved seats, $15 for 300 level reserved and $10 for 300 level general admission (sections 312-314, 328-330).
There will be numerous opportunities this season for fans to take advantage of, including ticket plans and promotions, special events at the arena and giveaways.
Mini-Plans & Single Game Ticket Promos
- COKE SIX PACK – Still 6 games, but with a new twist. You pick the 6 games you want to attend: SEC, Weekend, Holiday, any combination. Lower level and upper level seats available. Lower level available for only $90. Upper level $60.
- FAMILY FUN PACK – With the purchase of every Family Fun Pack ticket for any of the four SEC Thursday night games, you receive a voucher for 1 personal size Papa John’s pizza, a family photo with Smokey and more! A minimum purchase of 2 is required.
- Sunday, Nov. 15th vs. Central Arkansas – GIVE THANKS this holiday season and donate 2 non-perishable food items and receive one (1) complimentary 300 level General Admission ticket. All donations will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Friday, Nov. 20th vs. Syracuse – Donate 2 new school supply items and receive one (1) complimentary 300 level General Admission ticket. All donations will benefit the Knox County School Supply Depot.
- Friday, Nov. 27th vs. Albany - Black Friday Special - All tickets only $7 for game vs. Albany. Available online at uttix.com.
- CYBER MONDAY – Begins Monday, Nov. 30 at 12:00 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m. During the sale, single game 300 level basketball tickets will be $7 for ALL remaining games. Available only on uttix.com.
- Wednesday, Dec. 2nd vs. ETSU – PROVIDE HOPE during the holidays and donate a new toy or sports item and receive one (1) complimentary 300 level General Admission ticket. Your donations will benefit Mission of Hope and will bring HOPE to over 18,000 children & families this holiday season!
Other Promotions
- All Sunday SEC Games are Sunday Funday. Visit the pre-game Kids Korner located on the concourse behind Section 117 at Gate F for FREE face painting, crafts, coloring, games and more fun!
- Be one of the first 50 kids 12 & under to visit the marketing table on the concourse behind Section 127 and get a wristband to form the pre-game tunnel for the team.
- Post-game autographs. The new location is on the concourse behind Section 115. Each player will sign autographs for 30 minutes.
- Team Entrance Through the Crowd – The team will enter through one lucky section each game, so fans should be in their seats early to see the team’s descent to the playing floor.
- Thursday, Jan. 21st vs. Vandy – We Back Pat – In support of the Southeastern Conference’s “We Back Pat” week-long initiative, attend the Vanderbilt game and show the nation that WE BACK PAT! The first 1,500 fans to enter the arena receive a mini Pat Summitt replica banner.
- Thursday, Feb. 18 vs. Ole Miss – “Live Pink, Bleed Orange” - Help us increase awareness, educate and join us in the fight against Breast Cancer.
- Sunday, Feb. 28th vs. Georgia – Senior Day - Join us as we celebrate the career of seniors Bashaara Graves and Nia Moore.
Giveaways
- Sunday, Nov. 15th vs. Central Arkansas – First 1,500 will receive a 2015-16 Lady Vol Basketball schedule magnet.
- Thursday, Jan. 7th vs. Florida – First 1,500 will receive a 2016 Lady Vol Basketball calendar.
- Thursday, Jan. 21st vs. Vandy – We Back Pat - First 1,500 will receive a mini Pat Summitt replica banner.
Key Rule Changes In Women’s Basketball
- Women’s basketball has moved to playing four 10-minute quarters instead of two 20-minute halves. A team is awarded two free throws for each common foul beginning with the fifth team foul in a period.
- The 10-second count shall reset on all stoppages of the game clock except when the defense causes the ball to be out of bounds, the offense retains possession after a held ball, or there is a technical foul assessed to the offensive team.
- When a timeout is charged to the offensive team during the last 59.9 seconds of the fourth period and/or any extra period(s), the team has the option to advance the throw-in spot to the 28-foot mark in the front court on the same side of the court as the scorers’ table.
