University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL HOOPS REPORT (2/22/17)
February 22, 2017 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --Tennessee women’s basketball coach Holly Warlick and seniors Schaquilla Nunn and Jordan Reynolds met with the media Wednesday, as the Lady Vols prepare for Florida on Thursday. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on SEC Network and online through WatchESPN.
#RV/RV Tennessee (17-10, 8-6 SEC) plays host to its final home game of the regular season, as the Gators (13-14, 4-10 SEC) come to Thompson-Boling Arena for Senior Night and the 54th meeting in the series.
Here are some of Tennessee’s thoughts heading into the game.
Head Coach Holly Warlick Quotes
(On Jordan Reynolds' Senior Night)
"I've been with her for four years. She's been a great addition to our program. She's helped us win SEC Championships, a regular season and a tournament, and she's been a good leader for us. Anytime you're with a young lady and she comes across the country and makes a commitment to you, it's going to be a sad night, but it will be exciting for her. It's been fun to see how much she's grown, for her to get her degree, and her parents being here will be a lot of fun."
(On Florida's Ronni Williams)
"Ronni Williams is tough. She's the heart and soul of Florida's team. We've got to try and contain her a lot more. She's gotten inside of the paint, and we have to try to keep her out. It'd help if we try to limit our touches. It'd help if we keep her off the boards, but she's a tremendous athlete. I think she's having the best year of her career. She's had to step up with them losing their top scorer and another kid to injuries. She's had to step up and be the heart and soul of that basketball team. She's tough defend for us. She's explosive. She's got a great first step. She's got solid range, and she finds a way to get to the basket. She uses her athleticism to make her game better. She's a great rebounder and a solid defender. I just think she uses her athletic ability to make her an outstanding player in the SEC."
(On pushing past the distraction of Senior Night)
"I don't think it's going to be a distraction for us. We're excited to see Jordan Reynolds and Schaquilla Nunn get honored. I think our kids rally around our seniors. They look forward to it. They look forward to playing for them in their last game. It's not going to be a distraction for us. I think it's going to be an opportunity for our team to come together and play for two seniors who have meant a lot for this program."
Senior Guard Jordan Reynolds Quotes
(On this being the last regular season home game)
"It hasn't sunk in yet. I think it will tomorrow in practice when we have shoot around. Just knowing that it is my final game in Thompson-Boling Arena, it will be bittersweet. It will be more on the bitter side. I hopefully won't cry, but I know it will be emotional."
(On the focus for the game)
"We are focused on the win, but for me personally, I am focused on the win and going out with a bang. This is the last time the fans get to collectively see me in one place, so I am focused on playing to the best of my abilities and giving the fans what they paid for (price of admission)."
(On the highlight of her Tennessee career)
"I think it would be the teams and how we finish out seasons. There has been a lot of doubt throughout my time here. My freshman year, we won the SEC tournament, and we weren't supposed to do that. My sophomore year, we were in the Elite Eight and came back from a 17-point deficit. Last year, we had all the losses and still made it to the Elite Eight. I would say proving people wrong and being where we aren't supposed to be."
Senior Forward Schaquilla Nunn Quotes
(On what her year has been like)
"It has had its ups and downs, mainly with injuries, but other than that, the experience is much more than I ever expected."
(On getting adjusted to playing here)
"I think it was getting healthy with my foot because I have never been injured like that before, and I didn't know how to bounce back or what to expect. There was a whole process for that."
(On coming to a new team)
"It wasn't too hard for me. One of the reasons is because I am an extroverted person. I think I am shy, but others tell me I am not. Me being older makes me put myself out there more, and I was willing to get to know everyone. It was an easy transition for me and everyone was very welcoming."
