Lady Vols basketball is finally on the brink of tipping off Kim Caldwell’s third season, and after a “long six months of change,” the coach herself says she hasn’t seen a team this close since her Division II days at Glenville State. That’s a bold statement, and it tells you everything you need to know about the journey this squad has been on.
Six Months of Necessary Growth
It’s been a minute since April, and Coach Caldwell isn’t shying away from how much this team has evolved. On October 22, she laid it out, saying, “April to October, it seems like it’s been 10 years. But it’s been growth, it’s been needed growth. It’s been great. It’s maybe looked uncomfortable at times. But it’s been necessary for our program to take the steps that we need.” You can practically feel the intensity of that process, the grind they’ve been through to get to this point. It sounds like they’ve embraced the discomfort, pushing through it to build something real.
A Bond Unseen Since DII
The proof of that growth? Caldwell’s take on their team chemistry. She’s seen a lot of squads, but this one’s different, highlighting a bond that’s rare for her since her time coaching at Glenville State. That’s a strong indicator of the foundation they’ve built, especially since she mentioned Glenville was a place so small there wasn’t much else to do but hang out with teammates. That kind of camaraderie doesn’t just happen, it’s forged through those “uncomfortable” moments. We even got a glimpse of that vibe during the extended open practice period at media day, too. Forward Fatmata Janneh shared a laugh after hilariously answering “I’m English” when asked where Coach Caldwell was from, showing that relaxed, playful energy is already flowing. Players like Aaliyah Moore, Riley Makalusky, Zhen Craft, Gabby Minus, Irene Oboavwoduo, Shaelyn Steele, Avery Mills, Harper Peterson, and Harissoum Coulibaly were all part of the media day mix, hinting at a team ready to hit the court.
With the season “just around the corner,” all eyes are on this Lady Vols squad. They’ve gone through a transformation, and the coach believes they’re tighter than ever. If that bond translates to on-court performance, we’re in for an exciting ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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