Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball explained

Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball
Currentseason:2024 Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team
Founded:1996
University:University of Tennessee
Athletic Director:Danny White
Conference:Southeastern Conference
Conference Short:SEC
City:Knoxville
Stateabb:TN
State:Tennessee
Coach:Karen Weekly
Tenure:22nd
Stadium:Sherri Parker Lee Stadium
Capacity:2,200; Record: 2,549
Nickname:Lady Volunteers
Wcws Runnerup:2007, 2013
Wcws:2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2023
Super Regional:2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024
Ncaa Tourneys:1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Conference Tournament:2006, 2011, 2023
Conference Champion:2007, 2023, 2024
Division Champion:1999, 2004, 2007, 2012

The Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team represents the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville, Tennessee in NCAA Division I women's softball competition. Coached by Karen Weekly, the team has become a consistently top tier team in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), appearing in every NCAA tournament since 2004, and qualifying for 8 Women's College World Series.

Along with all other UT women's sports teams, it used the nickname "Lady Volunteers" (or the short form "Lady Vols") until the 2015–16 school year, when the school dropped the "Lady" prefix from the nicknames of all women's teams except in basketball.[1] In September 2017, the “Lady Volunteers” name was reinstated for all women’s athletics teams.[2]

Overview

The Lady Vols first fielded a softball team in 1996 with Jim Beitia as head coach.[3] [4] In 2002, Tennessee hired the husband and wife team and former Chattanooga coaches Ralph and Karen Weekly as co-head coaches. Since 2004, the team has reached the NCAA Tournament every year and the Women's College World Series eight times. Under the Weekly's, Tennessee has been one of only two programs (the other is Alabama) to be a NCAA Top-16 seed every year since the current format was adopted in 2005. One particularly notable season came in 2007 when the Lady Vols managed to make history, finishing 63–8 for the program's best winning percentage of .887.[5] The 2007 season culminated in a third-straight trip to the WCWS where Tennessee became the first SEC program to reach the best-of-three NCAA Championship Series, before falling to champion Arizona.[6] That year, the team managed two wins over No. 4 Arizona, in addition to other triumphs against No. 6 Northwestern and No. 7 Texas A&M. These results propelled the Lady Vols to a record 11 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll,[7] becoming the first SEC school to reach the top ranking in the league's softball history.[8] Tennessee would again reach the national championship series in 2013 as the No. 7 seed, where they ultimately fell to No. 1 Oklahoma.[9]

Sherri Parker Lee Stadium

See main article: Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The Sherri Parker Lee Stadium is the home venue for the Lady Vols, replacing Tyson Park. Opened in 2008, the stadium can seat 1,614 spectators as well as three press boxes, four VIP suites and an observation deck for television crews.[10] In addition to Tennessee home games, Lee Stadium has hosted the SEC softball tournament (in 2009 and 2017) and exhibition games involving the US national team (2008) and the Dutch national team (2011, 2012).Situated next to the stadium, the Volunteers clubhouse is approximately 7000square feet and features a team room, whirlpools, training area and conference room. Its other amenities include a kitchen, 30-seat theater, trophy room and a recreation room with a big-screen television, pool table, video games and comfortable furniture for the student-athletes. The locker room is also equipped with full laundry facilities, a mud room, 24 large lockers, shower and bathroom facilities. Also next to the clubhouse is one of the largest batting cage facilities in the nation. It contains four 16-by-60feet cages which are designed to provide plenty of room to walk or film between each. All four cages are covered from the weather and possess high-quality Astroturf.[10]

In 2011 the field was recognized as the NFCA/Stabilizer Solutions Field of the Year.[11]

In 2017 general admission outfield bleachers were added to the stadium.

Head Coach

See main article: Karen Weekly and Ralph Weekly. Karen Weekly took over as sole head coach in 2021, having previously served as co-head coach alongside her husband Ralph Weekly since 2002.[12] [13]

Since Ralph and Karen Weekly took over the Lady Vols they have guided the program from a team struggling to make a name for themselves in the SEC to a team that has garnered world recognition for their success. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has chosen to honor Ralph for his efforts throughout a distinguished, three-decade career, that has spanned from his time in the U.S. Air Force through stops at Pacific Lutheran, Chattanooga and now Tennessee, with a 2011 induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame.

Voted in by his coaching peers and with the organization consisting of just 49 previous inclusions, Ralph Weekly will join Ithaca head coach Deb Pallozzi in ceremonies to be held at the annual NFCA Convention. Ralph and Karen have taken the Vols to their first Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament championships as well as the team's first Women's College World Series appearance.

Their overall record at Tennessee is 465–150–2 and, in 2005, they recorded the programs most wins in a season with 67, an NCAA record at the time.. Ralph and Karen have also authored a book, High-Scoring Softball.[14] [8]

Year-by-year results

Sources[15] [16] [17]

Season
RecordSEC
Finish
SEC
tournament results
National
Seed
NCAA
tournament results
OverallConference
1996 54–14
1997 45–22 20–7 2nd (East)
1998 37–31 13–15 3rd (East)L 1–2 vs. Alabama
W 2–1 vs. Arkansas
L 0–8 vs. No. 12 LSU
1999 44–27 17–11 T–1st (East)W 11–3 vs. Florida
W 4–2 vs. Mississippi State
L 2–3 vs. Arkansas
L 1–3 vs. Arkansas
Regional
L 1–12 vs. Cal State Fullerton
L 1–12 vs. Washington
2000 29–34 5–22 5th (East)
2001 24–35 9–20 5th (East)
2002 35–25–1 8–17 4th (East)
2003 45–25 14–15 4th (East)L 0–1 vs. No. 12 LSU
W 4–3 vs. Auburn
W 5–3 vs. No. 7 Georgia
L 4–3 vs. No. 16 Alabama
2004 55–16 20–8 1st (East)L 2–8 vs. Mississippi State
W 7–5 vs. No. 23 Florida
W 1–0 vs. No. 15 Alabama
L 0–4 vs. No. 10 Georgia
Regional
W 10–0 vs. Illinois-Chicago
L 0–4 vs. Oregon State
W 4–0 vs. DePaul
L 5–6 vs. Illinois-Chicago
Start of National Seeding
200567–15 20–8 2nd (East)No. 11Regional
W 9–0 vs. Miami (Ohio)
W 4–0 vs. College of Charleston
W 2–0 vs. College of CharlestonSuper Regional
W 2–0 vs. No. 6 Stanford
W 6–0 vs. No. 6 Stanford

WCWS
W 1–0 vs. No. 3 Arizona
L 1–3 vs. No. 7 UCLA
W 4–0 vs. No. 12 Alabama
W 2–0 vs. No. 1 Michigan
L 2–3 vs. No. 1 Michigan

200661–12 21–9 2nd (East)2006 SEC Tournament
W 6–0 vs. Florida
W 2–1 vs. No. 4 Alabama
W 3–0 vs. No. 12 LSU
Tournament Champions
No. 8Regional
W 6–4 vs. Tennessee Tech
W 9–1 vs. Virginia Tech
W 8–1 vs. LouisvilleSuper Regional
W 5–3 vs. No. 9 Michigan
L 1–5 vs. No. 9 Michigan
W 1–0 vs. No. 9 Michigan

WCWS
W 4–3 vs. No. 1 UCLA
L 0–2 vs. No. 4 Northwestern
W 3–1 vs. No. 6 Arizona State
W 1–0 vs. No. 2 Arizona
L 0–6 vs. No. 2 Arizona

200763–8 23–4 ChampionsNo. 5Regional
W 8–0 vs. Furman
W 2–0 vs. North Carolina
W 7–0 vs. WinthropSuper Regional
W 9–0 vs. Hawaii
L 6–9 vs. Hawaii
W 7–1 vs. Hawaii

WCWS
W 2–0 vs. No. 4 Texas A&M
W 1–0 vs. No. 1 Arizona
W 3–0 vs. No. 2 Northwestern

National Championship
W 3–0 vs. No. 1 Arizona
L 0–1 vs. No. 1 Arizona
L 0–5 vs. No. 1 Arizona

200850–16 14–2 2nd (East)No. 13Regional
W 3–0 vs. Winthrop
L 0–4 vs. Virginia Tech
W 8–1 vs. Louisville
W 7–1 vs. Virginia Tech
L 2–4 vs. Virginia Tech
2009 40–18–1 12–12–1 3rd (East)No. 13Regional
W 4–3 vs. James Madison
W 5–2 vs. Nebraska
L 1–6 vs. Jacksonville State
L 1–2 vs. Jacksonville State
2010 49–15 17–8 3rd (East)No. 15Regional
W 5–0 vs. Ball State
W 11–2 vs. Virginia
W 3–1 vs. LouisvilleSuper Regional
W 5–0 vs. No. 2 Michigan
W 4–3 vs. No. 2 Michigan

WCWS
W 9–0 vs. No. 10 Arizona
W 7–5 vs. No. 6 Georgia
L 0–8 vs. No. 10 Arizona
L 2–5 vs. No. 10 Arizona

2011 49–12 20–8 2nd (East)2011 SEC Tournament
W 4–1 vs. No. 20 Kentucky
W 2–1 vs. No. 24 Auburn
W 6–5 vs. No. 9 Georgia
Tournament Champions
No. 14Regional
W 8–0 vs. Liberty
L 1–6 vs. Oklahoma State
W 7–0 vs. Georgia Tech
L 5–6 vs. Oklahoma State
2012 52–14 22–6 1st (East)No. 7Regional
L 0–1 vs. Miami (OH)
W 8–0 vs. UAB
W 8–0 vs. Miami (OH)
W 2–1 vs. Virginia Tech
W 10–2 vs. Virginia TechSuper Regional
W 3–2 vs. No. 10 Georgia
L 0–1 vs. No. 10 Georgia
W 2–1 vs. No. 10 Georgia

WCWS
L 3–5 vs. No. 2 Alabama
L 1–3 vs. No. 11 Oregon

2013 52–12 16–6 1st (East)No. 7Regional
W 9–0 vs. Longwood
W 1–0 vs. NC State
W 7–0 vs. NC StateSuper Regional
W 3–2 vs. No. 10 Alabama
W 5–3 vs. No. 10 Alabama

WCWS
W 9–2 vs. No. 2 Florida
W 1–0 vs. No. 11 Washington
W 2–1 vs. No. 4 Texas

National Championship
L 3–5 vs. No. 1 Oklahoma
L 0–4 vs. No. 1 Oklahoma

2014 46–12 17–8 2nd2014 SEC Tournament
L 2–0 vs. No. 15 Kentucky
No. 10Regional
W 12–3 vs. Charleston Southern
W 12–0 vs. Virginia Tech
W 2–0 vs. LipscombSuper Regional
L 1–8 vs. No. 7 Oklahoma
W 4–0 vs. No. 7 Oklahoma
L 2–8 vs. No. 7 Oklahoma
2015 47–17 15–9 5thNo. 8Regional
W 2–0 vs. Longwood
W 9–1 vs. Utah
W 3–1 vs. UtahSuper Regional
W 3–2 vs. No. 9 Florida St.
L 1–6 vs. No. 9 Florida St.
W 2–1 vs. No. 9 Florida St.

WCWS
L 2–7 vs. No. 1 Florida
L 2–4 vs. No. 4 Auburn

2016 43–16 16–7 3rdNo. 13Regional
W 10–2 vs. Marist
L 0–4 vs. Arizona
W 10–1 vs. Ohio State
L 3–4 vs. Arizona
2017 48–12 16–7 3rdNo. 8Regional
W 5–0 vs. Longwood
W 7–3 vs. USC Upstate
W 3–0 vs. LongwoodSuper Regional
W 8–1 vs. No. 9 Texas A&M
L 5–6 vs. No. 9 Texas A&M
L 3–5 vs. No. 9 Texas A&M
2018 48–14 14–10 4thNo. 10Regional
W 9–0 vs. Monmouth
W 12–3 vs. James Madison
W 5–1 vs. OhioSuper Regional
L 3–4 vs. No. 7 Georgia
L 1–2 vs. No. 7 Georgia
2019 43–17 14–10 2ndNo. 12Regional
W 8–0 vs. Longwood
W 12–4 vs. Ohio State
L 0–1 vs. North Carolina
W 2–0 vs. North CarolinaSuper Regional
L 0–3 vs. No. 5 Florida
W 3–2 vs. No. 5 Florida
L 1–2 vs. No. 5 Florida
202014–9 0–0 Cancelled (Covid-19)Cancelled(Covid-19)
202142–15 12–11 7thNo. 9Regional
W 8–1 vs. Eastern Kentucky
L 1–3 vs. James Madison
L 4–6 vs. Liberty
202241–18 15–8 3rdNo. 11Regional
W 9–1 vs. Campbell
W 3–0 vs. Oregon State
L 3–8 vs. Oregon State
L 1–3 vs. Oregon State
202351–10 19–5 Champions 2023 SEC Tournament
W 4–0 No. 21 Florida
W 7–6 No. 13 Alabama
W 3–1 South Carolina
Tournament Champions
No. 4Regional
W 12–0 vs. Northern Kentucky
W 9–1 vs. Indiana
W 7–3 vs. IndianaSuper Regional
W 5–2 vs. No. 13 Texas
W 9–0 vs. No. 13 Texas

WCWS
W 10–5 vs. No. 5 Alabama
L 0–9 vs. No. 1 Oklahoma
W 3–1 No. 6 Oklahoma State
L 1–5 No. 3 Florida St.

NCAA Tournament seeding history

National seeding began in 2005. The Tennessee Volunteers are one of only two teams to have a national seed every year, along with Alabama.

Awards and honors

All-Americans

The Tennessee Volunteers softball program has garnered 36 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American honors.

National awards

USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
NFCA National Pitcher of the Year
NFCA National Freshman of the Year
NFCA Golden Shoe Award
Honda Sports Award
Senior CLASS Award

Conference awards

SEC Player of the Year
SEC Pitcher of the Year
SEC Freshman of the Year
SEC Coach of the Year

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Tennessee set to make move to a lone 'Lady Vols' team . Steve . Megargee . . . June 26, 2015 . June 26, 2015.
  2. Web site: University of Tennessee announces return of Lady Vols logo for all sports.
  3. Web site: Jim Beitia - Softball Coach . 2023-05-16 . USF Athletics . en.
  4. Web site: 2023 Tennessee Softball Media Guide (PDF) . 2023-05-16 . University of Tennessee Athletics . en.
  5. Web site: Softball History . 2023-05-16 . University of Tennessee Athletics . en.
  6. Web site: 2007 University of Tennessee Softball . 2023-05-16 . static.utsports.com.
  7. Web site: Tennessee (W) Softball Archive 2007 . 2023-05-16 . University of Tennessee Athletics . en.
  8. Web site: Ralph Weekly Bio – University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site . Utladyvols.com . September 13, 2016.
  9. Web site: 2013 Tennessee Lady Vol Softball . 2023-05-17 . static.utsports.com.
  10. Web site: Sherri Parker Lee Stadium . September 13, 2016.
  11. Web site: 2011 NFCA / Stabilizer Solutions Field of the Year Award Winners | Stabilizer Solutions . April 14, 2012 . dead . https://archive.today/20120717192809/http://ww.stabilizersolutions.com/news/2011-nfca-stabilizer-solutions-field-of-the-year-award-winners . July 17, 2012 .
  12. Web site: Karen Weekly - Softball Coach - University of Tennessee Athletics . UTSports.com . 15 July 2021.
  13. Web site: Potkey . Rhiannon . UT SPORTS Tennessee Lady Vols softball co-head coach Ralph Weekly retires . KnoxNews.com . Knoxville News Sentinel . 15 July 2021.
  14. Book: Weekly, Ralph. High-Scoring Softball. 2012. Human Kinetics. 9781450401395. 192.
  15. Web site: SEC Softball Media Guide.
  16. Web site: Tennessee Softball Year-by-Year.
  17. Web site: University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site – Softball . September 13, 2016 . Utsports.com.
  18. Web site: Tennessee Softball Media Guide . www.utladyvols.com . 24 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111103170028/http://www.utladyvols.com/sports/w-softbl/guides/ . November 3, 2011 . en-us . 2011 . unfit.
  19. Web site: Knoxville News Sentinel . GoVolsXtra . July 21, 2014 . September 13, 2016.
  20. Web site: 2018 Softball MG History.
  21. Web site: Leach, Gregg Earn All-America Honors.
  22. Web site: Four Lady Vols Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Americans – University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site . Utladyvols.com . September 13, 2016.
  23. News: Florida’s Wallace, Tennessee’s Rogers capture major DI end-of-year awards . nfca.org . June 9, 2023 . June 9, 2023.
  24. Web site: News | National Fastpitch Coaches Association . Nfca.org . September 13, 2016.
  25. Web site: Tennessee's Madison Shipman wins the 2014 Senior CLASS Award® in softball . Senior CLASS Award . May 30, 2014 . September 13, 2016.
  26. Web site: 2014 SEC Softball Awards Announced . Secsports.com . September 13, 2016.