OK, Tennessee fans, VolleyVols 101: 2017 was a losing year for the program. UT hired Eve Rackham as head coach. The 2018 season was the biggest turnaround in program history. From the UTSports blurb -
In Eve Rackham’s first season at University of Tennessee, she helped orchestrate the largest single-season turnaround in program history. She guided the Lady Vols to a 14-win increase overall, 11-win increase in Southeastern Conference play and an eight-place jump in the conference standings.
After being picked to finish 10th, she led Tennessee to 16 SEC wins and a second place finish in her first season as a head coach. Tennessee won a total of 20 SEC matches in the four previous seasons combined.
Rackham became the first Tennessee coach in any sport to beat a ranked opponent in her debut. In front of the second-largest crowd in Lady Vol volleyball history, Tennessee defeated No. 22 Michigan State in four sets to claim their first win in the Eve Rackham era.
In their last game (5th of the young season), Tennessee defeated MSU on their home court. Came from behind for the victory. Volleyball is a pretty big thing in the B1G, and Tennessee is on their way to owning their asses. Something special is getting started. You can be a part of it. Follow the VolleyVols and cheer them on in 2019!