Kerr Credits Team for Early Success, Eager for Upcoming Trip

After redshirting and never playing a point of collegiate volleyball last year, freshman Caroline Kerr has quickly settled in as 18th-ranked Tennessee volleyball's new starting setter.

The Champaign, Illinois, native is coming off a strong weekend that earned her SEC Freshman of the Week honors. It marked the first time a Lady Vol received the honor since 2018, and according to Kerr, it's just a glimpse of what is to come.

"More than anything, I have a lot of pieces around me that made this possible," Kerr said. "The accolade I got personally was just a testament to the team and how hard this team is working. For us to get an award like that is just the first of many."

Kerr's impressive stats included 125 assists, 23 digs, 12 kills, four blocks and three aces over 12 sets in games against No. 1 Wisconsin, San Diego and Boston College.

Notably, she achieved her first double-double with 55 assists and 11 digs in a thrilling five-set match against Wisconsin. Kerr's early season success is no fluke, as she has made diligent progress in her game to get herself ready for the big stage.

"I put myself in a position over the summer to be ready for those moments," Kerr said. "It was a packed gym, a tough environment, but I knew up until that point I had done the work in the gym to do well in the games. Our coaches put us in a great position with the scouting report and the game plan going in. Despite the tough environment and the loud fans behind us, we were able to stick together as a team with the game plan."

Kerr led her team in assists in all three matches, averaging 10.42 assists per set. Her contributions have earned her national rankings in assists per set (33rd) and aces per set (40th).

She also stands second in the SEC for assists (219) and third for aces (13), both of which are the highest among conference freshmen. One thing that makes her job easier is the Big Orange attackers surrounding her on the court. Tennessee boasts one of the top attacking fronts in the country—led by graduate right side hitter and All-American Morgahn Fingall.

"The biggest thing as a setter is looking to make other people successful and trying to get people kills and trying to work hard to make them look awesome," Kerr said. "It's a constant relationship that we are building. The connection with your hitters, whether it's middle or opposite or backrow player, the connection between all the players at the core is something that you can't just push off to the side. You have to be intentional about doing it every day and forming trust in those relationships."

Kerr is especially motivated for Tennessee's next road trip against Loyola Chicago and Marquette, with the Lady Vols showcasing their talents in the Midwest.

"I am excited to go back to my home state and play a game," Kerr exclaimed. "We just came back, and despite losing, I think we came back with an eagerness to get better. That's all you can do is come to the gym every day and get better and learn more. The biggest thing that we're going to do is work on getting recovered. Making sure we get enough sleep so that when the time comes to play again and we're back on the road, we're ready to win and beat whoever we play."

The Lady Vols open with Loyola on Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ before facing the Golden Eagles on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. That match will be live streamed on FloSports ($). Both opponents made the NCAA Tournament last season

University of Tennessee Athletics

Kerr Credits Team for Early Success, Eager for Upcoming Trip

Players Mentioned

Morgahn Fingall

Caroline Kerr

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