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Everything Orange | Shunsuke Mitsui
Everything Orange
Published on 10/17/2025
Everything Orange
Published on 10/17/2025
Shunsuke Mitsui stands as one of the most distinguished players in Tennessee men's tennis history, embodying resilience, consistency, and unwavering determination on Rocky Top. Born and raised in Shizuoka, Japan, Shunsuke took a leap of faith that brought him over 6,500 miles from home to Knoxville. Over four unforgettable years, he's racked up over 100 wins in both singles and doubles, earned First Team All-SEC honors every season, and helped lead the Vols to national prominence. We dive into his journey from junior Grand Slams to college tennis, the culture shock of moving to America, the legacy he hopes to leave behind, and the epic comeback win against Duke to send Tennessee to the NCAA Super Regionals.
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With baseball season in full swing, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Tennessee baseball's Landon Mack on this week's Everything Orange podcast. In his first year on Rocky Top, the sophomore pitcher has already started nine games and has notched a team-high 64 strikeouts. The two look at Mack's go-to hype song, favorite athletes, and the stadium he one day dreams of pitching in.
From there, they look at Tennessee's 24-12 start and life in SEC play, reflecting on the adversity the team has faced and the resilience they've built. From tough losses to a statement sweep over a top-10 team on the road, he breaks down what's clicking, the confidence this group is gaining, and the mindset heading into the second half of the season.
Detwiler and Mack also dive into the pitching staff, highlighting a competitive group that always pushes each other. He discusses working alongside Cam Appenzeller, navigating role changes with roommate Tegan Kuhns, and learning from veteran Evan Blanco. Mack also shares his own approach on the mound and the trust he's built with both his teammates and coaches.
Beyond baseball, the sophomore reflects on his journey from New Jersey to Tennessee, his decision to focus on pitching, and why Knoxville became his dream destination. He also opens up about living with Type 1 diabetes, the discipline it's instilled in him, and the impact of representing others facing similar challenges. Loving his time on Rock Top, Mack closes with what it means to wear the Power T and compete in the SEC.
Published on 4/17/2026
This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler sits down with Tennessee Head Diving Coach Jane Figueiredo as she reflects on her first year leading the Vols diving program. Jane shares what it was like stepping onto Rocky Top after coaching at the highest levels internationally and collegiately, including guiding athletes to Olympic medals and world championships.
She looks back on year one — featuring four NCAA top-8 finishes and three SEC top-3 podiums — and talks about what stood out to her about the team, the culture, and the potential at Tennessee. Jane also discusses adding Assistant Coach Mike Wright to the staff and how they've worked together to build consistency, confidence, and a winning mindset among the divers.
From her journey coaching elite athletes like Tom Daley to what drew her to diving and ultimately to coaching, Jane gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at the passion, precision, and philosophy that define her approach. She closes by sharing what excites her most about the future of Tennessee diving and the legacy she hopes to build with her athletes.
Published on 4/10/2026
Torchbearer Award Recipient Jourdan Thomas sits down with us on this episode of the Everything Orange podcast...
Published on 4/3/2026
This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler sits down with senior tennis standout Leyla Britez Risso for a look into her journey through Rocky Top. Leyla reflects on stepping into her senior season and how fast her time at Tennessee has gone, from looking up to upperclassmen to now leading the team alongside her longtime doubles partner, Cat.
She dives into this year's squad, what makes the group special, and what it is like competing in the stacked SEC as the Lady Vols push through a tough stretch of the season. Leyla also opens up about her personal success, an undefeated start and top 20 national ranking, and what has been clicking for her on the court.
From her growth over the past four years to the impact of Coach Ojeda and the program's culture, Leyla reflects on what it means to wear the Tennessee jersey. From Paraguay to Knoxville, her story is all about leadership, consistency, and leaving her mark.
Published on 3/20/2026
