Lady Vols basketball, Holly Warlick start practice seeking answers for season

Knoxville

The Lady Vols begin their first official preseason practice at Pratt Pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017.

Evina Westbrook's veteran women's basketball teammates have been warning the Tennessee freshman that everything changes with the start of official practices.

The UT men's players have sent the same message.

While Westbook is mindful of their advice, she's also a bit quizzical.

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"Why is everything going to change?" she said on Monday. "As a freshmen, I don't understand when they say that."

The comprehension gap was addressed beginning with Tuesday's workout at Pratt Pavilion. The practice was preceded by the players again signing off on social media for the season.

Tennessee plays Carson-Newman in an exhibition game on Nov. 7. The season opener is Nov. 12 against East Tennessee State at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Although Lady Vols coach Holly Warlick and her staff have considerable preseason access to players, Tuesday marked the beginning of more team work and more tempo.

"It's big for us because we haven't done a lot of team things," Warlick said. "We've done a lot of individual work, a lot of position work, a lot of individual defense, offense, scoring, one-on-one stuff.

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"I'm excited we can put some things together and kind of bring everything we've been working on all together."

Warlick said she's comfortable with Westbrook and fellow freshman Anastasia Hayes sharing the point guard position and added, "I really like them in at the same time."

Tennessee guard Anastasia Hayes (1) defends teammate guard Rennia Davis (0) during the Lady Vols first official preseason practice at Pratt Pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017.

"I'm not concerned with having a freshman there," Warlick said, "because they're very dedicated, committed, intelligent basketball players."

Warlick complimented the entire freshman group, which also includes forward Rennia Davis and center Kasi Kushkituah for "really, really busting it in the offseason and the summer."

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"They're going to play for the availability (of playing time) and also their ability," Warlick said. "All four are solid. They bring different things. They're going to play just because they're talented and they work hard."

Regarding the returnees, center Mercedes Russell and forward Jaime Nared already have drawn notice for their play with USA Basketball's U23 team. Warlick said Meme Jackson and Cheridene Green made good use of the offseason, too.

Lady Vols guard Evina Westbrook (2) passes the ball off to a teammate during Tennessee's first official preseason practice Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, at Pratt Pavilion.

Warlick indicated that Jackson, a 5-foot-11 junior guard who has played sparingly, might be feeding off the freshmen's energy.

"Her effort and her energy, she's really stepped up and made that to be a great focal point in her game, Warlick said.

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Green, a 6-3 junior college transfer post player, has recovered from knee surgery and is in better condition.

"I think she really understands that her knee is OK, it's good and that she can go out and play as hard as she needs to play," Warlick said.

All 10 Lady Vols were on the court for Tuesday's practice.