The Tennessee Lady Vol basketball team hosted its annual media day on Wednesday, participating in interviews with local media outlets one week before Kim Caldwell‘s second edition takes the court at Food City Center against Columbus State in an exhibition game on Oct. 29.
The afternoon began with Caldwell taking questions during a press conference, followed by courtside interviews with players and staff members. The team, picked to finish fourth in the SEC by media and fifth by the coaches, then conducted the opening portion of its practice with media in attendance.
The UT women, ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press preseason poll, tip off vs. Columbus State at 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday (SECN+) and open the season on Nov. 4 in Greensboro vs. No. 9 NC State in the RO Greensboro Invitational at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
In 2025-26, the Lady Vols return three of their top four scorers and rebounders from a year ago. That group includes redshirt junior guard and All-SEC Second Team/SEC All-Defensive Team performer Talaysia Cooper (16.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 3.2 apg., 3.1 spg.), who was named Wednesday by league coaches to their preseason All-SEC First Team. She is joined by senior forward Zee Spearman (11.7 ppg., 6.0 rpg.) and senior guard Ruby Whitehorn (11.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 1.7 apg.) as the team’s top returnees. Additionally, UT welcomes back key 2024-25 contributors in junior forward Alyssa Latham (3.9 ppg., 3.7 rpg.) and redshirt sophomore guard Kaniya Boyd (4.0 ppg., 1.3 apg., 1.3 spg.).
Also returning to the court is redshirt senior guard Kaiya Wynn, who missed all of last season due to injury but averaged 4.4 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 2023-24 and has appeared in 94 contests for the Big Orange during her career.
Caldwell and her staff also have recruited extremely well, adding a transfer portal class rated No. 1 by ESPN’s Charlie Creme and a high school signing group rated No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation by most analysts. The transfer class includes 6-foot-4 forward and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Janiah Barker of UCLA (7.4 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 1.4 apg.), 5-7 guard and All-ACC Second Team selection Nya Robertson of SMU (18.5 ppg., 62 3FGs, 111 FTs) and 6-5 forward Jersey Wolfenbarger of LSU (4.6 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 63% FG). The stellar prep class includes McDonald’s All-Americans Mia Pauldo, Deniya Prawl and Jaida Civil, as well as Mia’s twin sister, Mya, and Lauren Hurst, all of whom rank among ESPN’s top 60 recruits in the class of 2025.
Fans interested in cheering on Kim Caldwell‘s exciting and highly-regarded squad should visit AllVols.com for ticket information. Big Orange supporters will have 14 opportunities to get behind their team at home, with season and single-game tickets currently on sale. Besides purchasing online, fans can also buy tickets by calling the UT Ticket Office at 1-800-332-VOLS between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team on social media, follow @LadyVol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /BallWithTheLadyVols on Facebook.
