ABOUT LADY VOL LIFE
The official blog of the
TENNESSEE LADY VOLUNTEERS
Here you'll get a firsthand look at what it's like to be a Tennessee Lady Vol ... from the Lady Vols themselves!
Blogs are written by Seniors Glory Johnson, Alicia Manning, Junior Taber Spani, and Freshmen Cierra Burdick and Isabelle Harrison.
One of the first questions I get when I talk to a friend or family member is, “How has the transition from high school to college been?” Immediately my mind starts to race with ideas and thoughts. I reminisce on how great my senior year was. How I was so close with all my teachers and friends and how hard it was to say bye to all of that. But then I snap back into reality and realize that I’m growing up and its time to start a new chapter of my life.
I’m now half way through my first year of college. One semester down, only seven more to go. But who is counting? When it comes to the classroom I had no problem doing what I needed to do. I finished the semester with a 3.8 grade point average. However, something that usually comes so natural to me has been a tough struggle. It hasn’t been the many many papers, nor the “fear of missing out” syndrome, better known as F.O.M.O., that has kept me up at nights. But it’s been the basketball aspect of life.
When people used to tell me college ball is a completely different ball game then high school ball I used to look at them as if they were crazy. I mean, I knew everyone was better, but I didn’t exactly know WHAT made the two levels so different. But now I understand. The level of play is so much faster and stronger. The players are smarter and better equipped with an arsenal of different moves. College ball is very humbling nonetheless. Its tough to go from playing the entire game in high school and significant minutes for USA basketball to playing very few minutes. But I have great players in front of me and I’m doing my best to learn from them. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I may not be the most talented player, or the strongest, or the fastest, but I can promise I will be one of the hardest working players you’ve ever seen.
The transition from high school to college has been tough. Its been mentally tough as well as emotionally straining. However, throughout it all I’m becoming a stronger player, and more importantly, a stronger person.
Cierra Burdick by .
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Cor. 9:24
Hey Ya’ll:)
The season is here…first game last night!!! We are very excited about starting up and seeing how all our hard work is going to pay off! Last night was a good start, and we want to just keep improving every day! It was so awesome to have almost everyone back on the court (Kamiko will be back soon) competing in a game for the first time this year! I have to give a shout-out to Vicki, we are so thrilled to have her back and stronger than ever!!!! Also, the freshman got to feel what it was like playing in front of all you Amazing fans!!! We are focused and ready to go back to work today in practice to just keep improving!
Hope everyone enjoys Homecoming weekend and cheers on our football team! Should be a fun game! Hopefully see everyone next Tuesday night:) God bless!!!
To God be all the Glory,
Taber><>John 3:16><>
Taber Spani by .
“Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt 6:33
Hey Ya’ll,
Well, I am on the countdown to October because that means practice is about to start!!! I am so excited to be out there on the court with the coaches and team in practice daily instead of once a week! If it were up to me I would love to have official practices ALL YEAR ROUND:):):)!
Conditioning and weight workouts with Heather Mason have been going great as well and we are ready to take our conditioning to the court! November will be here before we know it:):):)
It was a tough one for our football team against the Gators but we are proud of the way they fought hard and never gave up! I know we will bounce back against Buffalo! I just love football season:):):)
Hope everyone is doing well…see you all in November! Go Vols and Lady Vols!! Thanks for all the support!!
God bless,
Taber ><>John 3:16><>
Taber Spani by .
We finally have our first individual under our belts and I couldn’t be any happier with our energy, focus, and performance. I believe we all have the right mindset this year and I’m loving it. The mindset for greatness and number nine is clear in the Lady Vol gym! Aside from court work, strength and conditioning is continuing to go well. Our wind is progressively increasing and so is our strength (mine at a slower rate than others). Haha. But that’s okay because I’m working on it! A-Town is my partner in nearly everything and she is really preparing me for whats to come… She also takes pride in busting me up in the weight room, as well as in our conditioning drills. It gets really competitive between us two and I love it. I’m really thankful A-Town is my partner but I would never tell her that to her face. 
… I’ve had some typical freshman moves in our strength and conditioning sessions nonetheless. I’ve tripped and fallen flat on my face a couple times. I’ve also attempted to dive across the line to make a running time and fall short about a foot and have to roll across the line. I have definitely managed to keep the mood light, as well as embarrass myself. Its a good thing it takes a lot for me to get embarrassed. I just laughed at myself and kept it moving. I’m looking forward to our next practice on Wednesday. I’m almost positive that our second one will be better than the first.
So a lot of people wanted to know how the USA Basketball trip to China went so here we go . . .
On July 22, Shekinna and I flew from Knoxville, Tennessee to Colorado Springs, Colorado, my Original home state and birthplace, to undergo another tryout in hopes to make the final cut for the women’s U21 USA team. After several days of Eat, Sleep, and Basketball the final cuts were made and Shekinna and I were able to SURVIVE!
If tryouts weren’t bad enough, we were told that we would continue the two-a-day practices for the remaining time in Colorado. Luckily the Men’s U21 basketball team was there as well so there was a lot on NICE things to look at, and I’m not just talking about the Rocky Mountains ;P haha.
We left that following Sunday at 5:30 am, flew to Denver, Colorado, where my oldest sister and brother were born (a little life history of Glory B.) then from Denver to San Francisco, and San Francisco to Hong Kong on a 15 hour flight. In total we were traveling and hanging out in airports for about 28 hours straight!!!
What did we get to do on such a long flight you might ask?
Well, they played four 2.5 hour movies, two 30 minute tv shows, provided us with two meals that we really had no choice to eat, good or bad, and you guys know how much I like to eat!!!. Unless there was some other way of getting a 16oz. ribeye on a flight to China, I was never gonna be satisfied. I just needed to sit back, relax and embrace the culture . . . so i just asked for seconds on every meal they provided.
While most of the team was asleep, Odyssey Sims, Baylor’s starting point guard, and myself took over the back of the plane with a couple players off the Men’s team, a few coaches, and flight attendants, and played cards, blocked the bathrooms, told life stories, and ransacked the snack drawers in order to pass the time.
I gotta to run to workouts, but I will continue the story later . . . if there are any additional questions I haven’t answered yet, just wait . . . the story only gets better and better!!!
Glory Johnson by .
Hello Lady Vols fans!
My name is Isabelle Harrison and I am a freshman at the University of Tennessee. I wanted to take a few minutes from this hectic day and introduce myself to my new Volunteer family.
I was born and raised in Nashville,TN. I have 12 (yes, from the the same mom and dad) brothers and sisters, whom I love very much and great much of my strength from. I come from a pretty athletic family. My dad, Dennis Harrison, played football at Vanderbilt. He met my mom there (college sweethearts!) Ida Harrison.Then, he played pro football for a couple of years for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and and the Atlanta Falcons. Everyone always asks me, “How was it when he played in the NFL?” Well, I wouldn’t know because I wasn’t thought of at the time, so my dad just tells me how it was when he played. My brother, DJ Harrison and David Harrison, played basketball for the University of Colorado. My brother David Harrison went on to play for the Indiana Pacers and DJ continued to play overseas. My 2 sisters, Idette and Danielle Harrison went to the University of Memphis on an academic scholarships. My sister, Dianne Harrison, went to LSU on a Track and Field scholarship. My sister, Della Harrison, goes to the University of Tennessee – Chattonaga and plays softball. 
My sister, Deedee Harrison, plays volleyball for UT! ( I love seeing her on campus!) My brother, Isaiah Harrison, plays basketball for Freed-Hardman University. Finally, my little brother and sister, Ian and Dorie Harrison are still at home playing sports, as well. Before I continue, my parents NEVER forced any of us to sports, they were supportive with anything we wanted to do. They made it a point to be good students over athletics, because you may never know what would happen to you.
My brother I didn’t mention at the top is Daniel Harrison. He didn’t get to attend college for athletics because of his Lupus. He always had to do a lot of treatment to do at home. When I was in the sixth grade, one of his kidneys failed and my mom donated one of hers. My brother now is living in Indiana helping out my brother with his basketball agenda.
My parents have been a rock in my life. My family is my motivation for basketball. Whenever I am sprinting and feel like exhausted, I think of them and my legs seem to hurt less. Whenever I need to get an extra rep in the weight room, I think of them and try to push 2 more out. This has helped me get to where I am so far in my basketball career.
I want to give a little insight on how I started to get into basketball. Well, growing up, I was too tall to do “girly things” and was usually paired up with the guys. Whenever P.E came around, I would get picked on the boys team. Since then, I realized that I wasn’t just a normal girl. I’m guessing my mom took notice to this and wanted to keep her “little” big girl into more things that girls should be doing. She took me to gymnastics, baton twirling, ballet, dance class and did I mention ballet. I seemed to like these activities when I was doing them, but never looked forward to doing them. When I started playing basketball in the 7th grade, I finally knew I was meant to be in this sport. I met all the initial requirements. I was tall, athletic, quick and could do a couple of posts moves. The game excited me. I loved when we would outscore teams, I love when I saw leadership on my team, I loved how physical and non laid-back the game was, I loved when my coach would encourage me and we would go out and dominate. I continued to play in high school and got numerous awards.
When I choose to come to UT, I did so because I knew I wasn’t going to be one of the best if I didn’t. I would watch the UT basketball staff coach and wanted to be where that intensity would be constant. I wanted to be pushed to the limit and to new hieghts I never knew and that could only be done here. I LOVE being a Lady Vol but just because of the tradition, fans, hype and history. I love being a Lady Vol because I know I can contribute something great to this program. It just takes hard work and practice. And with my teammates and coaches, I know I can get there.
Isabelle “Izzy” Harrison
Isabelle Harrison by .
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
Hey Ya’ll:),
I want to start by saying Coach Summitt is not only a legendary coach but she is an even more incredible woman!!!! I have so much respect for her and feel so honored to be one of her players!!! As a team we are supporting her 100% and are inspired to give everything we have for Coach and Tennessee!!!
Also, we had a Great first week of individual basketball workouts!! We are focusing on getting better everyday and competing in every drill with great focus and intensity! You gotta LOVE IT!!!!!:):):) I am so excited about this season and just love every workout and practice because with each day we get closer to the season!!! Also, being such a big football fan:) its so fun that its again Football time in Tennessee! Our guys started off strong and looking forward to next Saturday’s game against Cincinnati! Happy Labor Day to everyone, keep all of our troops and their families in your prayers this weekend!!! Thank you to all of our troops who daily make sacrifices for us to defend our freedom!!!
Thank you all for all of the support!!! Make it a Great Week!
God bless,
Taber><>John 3:16><>
Taber Spani by .
Hey everybody!
I hope everybody is doing well. I had a great summer. I took two classes in June and I did part of my internship in July. My internship is very interesting. I am working as the event coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club at the Moses Teen Center right here in Knoxville. It has been a whole lot of fun! I love spending time with the kids and learning about their lives, helping them any way I can. Another part I love about it is being able to put a smile on their face by planning fun events for them. For instance, I have put together a BGC Olympics (Boys and Girls Club) towards the end of July, a Back to School Bash at the beginning of August, and am currently working on their academic plans and a nutrition program for the teens in October. It has definitely been a great learning experience so far and as I continue doing it throughout the fall, I can only imagine what else is in store for me. The staff there does a wonderful job and I’m honored to be able to be mentored by them.
Also in the summer, our team had some intense workouts all throughout June and July and we are looking really good. Heather Mason is by far the best strength and conditioning coach in the country and I couldn’t be more thankful to have her here at UT. She is our insurance plan to keep us healthy physically and mentally. Another thing this summer was filled with was our team playing a WHOOOOLLLEEE bunch of pick-up. Probably, more than we ever have since I’ve been here. It definitely helped us with our team chemistry even more and gave our freshman Isabelle Harrison a small taste of what college basketball is going to be like. Overall, I am very pleased with my summer and how dedicated the team was throughout it.
Ok so that’s my summer…Now we have OFFICIALLY started pre-season which is definitely a love/ hate feeling . So far, it has been going really well and we are all looking mighty buff! :p Also, today was our opening day for our individuals. If your wondering what that means, it’s basically the NCAA allows us two hours a week to do skill work with the coaches. So, we get divided up into groups at the discretion of our coaches and go hard for an hour a day, twice a week. It’s a great opportunity for us to get tons of attention from our coaches and work on our strengths and weaknesses before team practices and games start. In my group today, I had Cierra and Taber. We worked a lot on ball handling, full court lay-ups, shooting, passing, and some post work. I was really proud of my group and heard a lot of great things about the other groups as well. I think I can speak for my team in saying we are pumped for the season and can’t wait to see all of you again! Hope your summer has gone as well as mine has and your fall will be fun-filled too! Especially since football is starting this weekend! Yaaay!! Take care!
Love Your life,
A-Town
a.k.a. Alicia Manning
Alicia Manning by .
USA basketball has concluded. My last week at home has concluded. I’ve told many of my friends and family that I’ll see them later, since I’m not a fan of saying goodbye. And I am now sitting at Thorton, our student-athlete academic center, writing my first blog on UT campus.
It has definitely been a journey to this point. When I was a little girl I dreamed about playing basketball in college and now I’m actually living my dream. I can say I am truly blessed and I try and live my life to the fullest, giving God all the glory. My first week as a Lady Vol has been great. My classes are going well and so is strength and conditioning. Strength and conditioning is definitely a story within itself. Lets just say we do some crazy stuff in there. For example, bear crawling up a HUGE hill at the front of campus, up and down three times with a time limit. If you don’t make the time limit, you do more. And that is just part of one day’s workout. Surprisingly though, I love it.
I know were getting better and were becoming closer and closer to our goal of winning our 9th championship. I really get the vibe that we are all on the same page about winning this title and it just gets me pumped. I am definitely looking forward to starting individuals next week. My new chapter has begun and there is no doubt in my mind that I have picked the right school for me. Go Vols!
Cierra Burdick by .
Today was a good day. However playing against those Vets was no joke. Those girls are so strong and big. There was one time in a game that I went up for a rebound and just got sandwiched between Cierra and Natasha Howard from FSU and Dev from Notre Dame. I mean I felt like a sardine. But Its alrite because it was a great experience. I really enjoyed playing against the big names like Skylar Diggins and April Sykes.
You can learn a lot in such a small period of time with those guys. But after both sessions were finished the Lady Vol and Notre Dame girls got together and went to dinner. Strick, Meg, Glory, Rel, and myself went to Cheddars with Skylar and Dev and really just had a blast. That was probably the highlight of my trip. It was really an experience getting to know the college Vets, as well as getting to know my peers more in depth. I truly am thankful that basketball has united me with so many new faces.
Tomorrow morning we find out who makes the team. Anxiety and nervs are racing all throughout the dorms. A lot of sleep will be lost tonight. I’m hoping for the best and thanking God for even giving me this opportunity.
Cierra Burdick by .
