University of Tennessee Athletics
Everything Orange | Leyla Britez Risso
Everything Orange
Published on 3/20/2026
Everything Orange
Published on 3/20/2026
This week on Everything Orange, Sarah Detwiler sits down with senior tennis standout Leyla Britez Risso for a look into her journey through Rocky Top. Leyla reflects on stepping into her senior season and how fast her time at Tennessee has gone, from looking up to upperclassmen to now leading the team alongside her longtime doubles partner, Cat.
She dives into this year's squad, what makes the group special, and what it is like competing in the stacked SEC as the Lady Vols push through a tough stretch of the season. Leyla also opens up about her personal success, an undefeated start and top 20 national ranking, and what has been clicking for her on the court.
From her growth over the past four years to the impact of Coach Ojeda and the program's culture, Leyla reflects on what it means to wear the Tennessee jersey. From Paraguay to Knoxville, her story is all about leadership, consistency, and leaving her mark.
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This week on Everything Orange, host Sarah Detwiler welcomes Tennessee Swimming standout Charlotte Crush! The true freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, came to Tennessee as the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2026 and quickly validated those lofty assessments. In her first collegiate competition, Crush set a school record in the 200 back, earning her SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Dive into this week's episode of Everything Orange to learn more about one of the top young swimmers in the nation, her family's elite background in the sport and the goals she's set for herself on Rocky Top.
Published on 10/23/2026
He's still a new face on Rocky Top, but this week's guest on Everything Orange hardly needs an introduction. Only six games into his Tennessee Football career, defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam has made his presence felt, having already posted 5.0 sacks and 10.0 TFLs midway through the 2026 season. This week on Everything Orange, Gilliam joins host Sarah Detwiler to discuss his unique journey to Tennessee. From growing up with dreams of playing basketball to not stepping onto a football field until his sophomore year of high school, the big man in the middle has proved himself to be a defensive force. Gilliam reflects on his decision to transfer to Tennessee, and how his familiarity with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has helped him make an immediate impact in the SEC. He also dives into his relationship with defensive line coach Rodney Garner, the chemistry behind Tennessee's disruptive defensive front, and what makes this group so special.
Published on 10/16/2026
Tennessee Volleyball sophomore Kennedi Rogers has wasted no time making an impact on Rocky Top. After an ACC All-Freshman season at SMU, the Missouri City, Texas, native transferred to Tennessee and has become a key part of the Lady Vols' offense. In this episode of Everything Orange, Rogers joins host Sarah Detwiler to discuss her journey to Tennessee, the decision to enter the transfer portal, and how the Lady Vols coaching staff has helped her develop into a six-rotation player. She also reflects on her breakout start to the 2026 season, including a 21-kill performance in Tennessee's win at No. 9 Penn State. Rogers talks about building chemistry with All-American setter Caroline Kerr, taking on a leadership role as a sophomore, and what she's learned about this team through the opening weeks of the season. She also dives into what it means to play in front of Lady Vol Nation and what the Lady Vols look to accomplish this year.
Published on 10/9/2026
Kylee Simmons is off to a fast start for Tennessee Soccer, already notching three goals and two assists in her first seven appearances and helping the Lady Vols climb into the top 10 of the national rankings. But Simmons' impact at Tennessee was anything but certain, as the fifth year had not played soccer in 683 days before making her Rocky Top debut. The West Chester, Ohio, native suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries between her junior year at Missouri and her senior year at Tennessee. But those setbacks didn't just set the stage for a major comeback this season, they provided Simmons with a new and invaluable mindset that has led allowed her to become a team leader and find renewed purpose beyond soccer. In this episode of Everything Orange, host Sarah Detwiler and Simmons discuss that remarkable journey to recovery and the impact its made on Tennessee Soccer.
Published on 9/18/2026
