University of Tennessee Athletics

Volleyball Preview: Lady Vols Prepare for Road Series Against Alabama
March 18, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vol volleyball team wraps up their four-match road swing Friday and Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, against the Crimson Tide.
The opening match of the series is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first serve Friday, followed by a 3 p.m. start time Saturday.
BROADCAST INFO
Both matches are available to stream on SEC Network+, with Josh Carey (play-by-play) and Natalie Ledford (color) describing the action.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee split its previous series at Arkansas, winning the opening match in four sets, before falling in four in match two.
LIBERO OF THE YEAR
Sophomore Madison Bryant has thrown her name into the ring for SEC Libero of the Year consideration since moving into the role in the final two matches of the fall. Since taking over as the starting libero, Bryant is averaging 4.71 digs per set.
For the year, she averages 3.79 digs per set, which ranks second in the SEC.
FRESHMAN FEAST
Freshman Jasmine Brooks had arguably the best weekend of her young career against Arkansas as she hit .328 over the two matches and scored 26 total kills – 14 in match one and 12 in match two. The Toney, Alabama, native has played in 57 of 58 sets for the Lady Vols this season, averaging 2.09 kills per set.
FELTS THESE KILLS
Junior Lily Felts leads UT with 198 kills this season and has a team-high 3.41 kills per set average. The Knoxville native has reached double-figures in kills 10 times this season and has tallied seven double-doubles.
WINDICATORS
Tennessee is 9-1 this season when it hits .250 or better and in the Eve Rackham Watt era, that total stands at 35-3.
SCOUTING ALABAMA
The Crimson Tide come into the series with a 6-12 record and sit ninth in the conference. Alabama lost both of its previous matches to Texas A&M, 3-1 and 3-0.
Abby Marjama leads the Tide in kills (243), kills per set (3.68) and points per set (4.04) this season. The junior outside hitter is in her first year at Alabama after transferring from UC Irvine.
Riley Fisbeck and Emily Janek keep the Tide's offense running as the duo average 7.02 and 5.95 assists per set, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY
Tennessee leads the all-time series 38-18 and has won the last three meetings. Over the last 10 matchups, Tennessee and Alabama are tied with five wins apiece.
Last season, Tennessee swept both matches against Alabama, winning on the road in three sets on November 10, before coming home to Rocky Top and winning in three on November 22.
UP NEXT
The Lady Vols close out their 2020-21 season at home March 24 and 25 against LSU. Both matches are set for 2 p.m. ET first serves.
The opening match of the series is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first serve Friday, followed by a 3 p.m. start time Saturday.
BROADCAST INFO
Both matches are available to stream on SEC Network+, with Josh Carey (play-by-play) and Natalie Ledford (color) describing the action.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee split its previous series at Arkansas, winning the opening match in four sets, before falling in four in match two.
LIBERO OF THE YEAR
Sophomore Madison Bryant has thrown her name into the ring for SEC Libero of the Year consideration since moving into the role in the final two matches of the fall. Since taking over as the starting libero, Bryant is averaging 4.71 digs per set.
For the year, she averages 3.79 digs per set, which ranks second in the SEC.
FRESHMAN FEAST
Freshman Jasmine Brooks had arguably the best weekend of her young career against Arkansas as she hit .328 over the two matches and scored 26 total kills – 14 in match one and 12 in match two. The Toney, Alabama, native has played in 57 of 58 sets for the Lady Vols this season, averaging 2.09 kills per set.
FELTS THESE KILLS
Junior Lily Felts leads UT with 198 kills this season and has a team-high 3.41 kills per set average. The Knoxville native has reached double-figures in kills 10 times this season and has tallied seven double-doubles.
WINDICATORS
Tennessee is 9-1 this season when it hits .250 or better and in the Eve Rackham Watt era, that total stands at 35-3.
SCOUTING ALABAMA
The Crimson Tide come into the series with a 6-12 record and sit ninth in the conference. Alabama lost both of its previous matches to Texas A&M, 3-1 and 3-0.
Abby Marjama leads the Tide in kills (243), kills per set (3.68) and points per set (4.04) this season. The junior outside hitter is in her first year at Alabama after transferring from UC Irvine.
Riley Fisbeck and Emily Janek keep the Tide's offense running as the duo average 7.02 and 5.95 assists per set, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY
Tennessee leads the all-time series 38-18 and has won the last three meetings. Over the last 10 matchups, Tennessee and Alabama are tied with five wins apiece.
Last season, Tennessee swept both matches against Alabama, winning on the road in three sets on November 10, before coming home to Rocky Top and winning in three on November 22.
UP NEXT
The Lady Vols close out their 2020-21 season at home March 24 and 25 against LSU. Both matches are set for 2 p.m. ET first serves.
Players Mentioned
VB | Eve Rackham Watt Press Conference (9.22.25)
Monday, September 22
VB | Eve Rackham Watt Press Conference (8.25.25)
Monday, August 25
Everything Orange S2 I Volleyball Mashup
Thursday, October 03
VB | Tennessee vs. Western Kentucky Highlights (12.2.23)
Saturday, December 02