Stephen K. Lee, Assistant Director of Media Relations
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee softball team opened 2014 practice on Wednesday at the Neyland Thompson Sports Center.
After a few weeks off for winter break, the Lady Vols were back at work preparing for the start of the 2014 season, which is just 30 days away. The team focused mainly on fielding on Wednesday with some hitting toward the end of practice.
Check out the above video to see what Tennessee co-head coach Karen Weekly had to say about the first day of 2014 practice!
FIELDING YOUR POSITION
The team worked on infield drills an outfield throws for much of practice. Strong defense has always been a hallmark of Tennessee teams led by co-head coaches Ralph Weekly and Karen Weekly.
UT is coming off a 2013 season in which it ranked 11th in nation with a .974 team fielding percentage
NEW FACES IN OLD PLACES
Fans who saw the team during the 2013 fall exhibition season had a bit of a preview of the team’s new projected starters at third base, second base and right field. As longtime starters and last year’s seniors Raven Chavanne (third base), Lauren Gibson(second base) and Kat Dotson (right field) held down their respective positions for the majority of their careers, UT will have fresh blood turning the 5-4 outs and chasing down fly balls in right field.
On Wednesday, freshman Taylor Koenig played at third base during defensive drills and fellow freshman Megan Geer saw action at second base. Right field looks like it could be a battle between sophomores Rainey Gaffin and Lexi Overstreet. All four players have demonstrated great power at the plate.
Stay tuned to UTSports.com, facebook.com/TennesseeSoftball and the UT softball Twitter and Instagram accounts @LadyVol_Sftball for the latest on the Lady Vols!
Lady Vol Softball Day One
