Lady Vols Show Fight in Texas Loss, but Execution and Turnovers Prove Costly
The Lady Vols showed signs of growth in Sunday’s 65-63 loss to Texas, especially in how they competed against a top-10 team. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a step forward in intensity and execution - and head coach Kim Caldwell saw that, even in defeat.
After the game, Caldwell met with the media and gave a candid assessment of her team’s effort, the late-game breakdown, and where they go from here.
A Close One That Slipped Away
This one came down to the wire, and Caldwell made it clear she felt the Lady Vols were gaining momentum late. “We ran out of time,” she said.
“Could’ve used about a minute and a half more.” Tennessee was surging, fueled by a raucous home crowd that Caldwell called one of the best they’ve played in front of this season.
The energy inside the building helped push the Lady Vols to some key buckets down the stretch - but ultimately, it wasn’t enough.
Despite the loss, Caldwell praised her team’s resilience. “They didn’t quit, we kept playing,” she said.
“Doesn’t feel great, but we don’t have a lot of time to sit and dwell on it.” That’s because the SEC schedule doesn’t let up - Tennessee is back on the road in two days.
Talaysia Cooper: A Mixed Bag with Bright Spots
Talaysia Cooper had a rollercoaster of a game. The turnovers were a problem - 22 as a team, and several from Cooper - but Caldwell emphasized the way Cooper responded.
“She did a really good job of just playing through mistakes,” Caldwell said. “She still continued to put us on her back at times.”
That kind of mental toughness is something Caldwell wants to see more of. And while the turnovers need to come down, the coaching staff knows they also need to help Cooper by easing her workload - especially with guard Mia Pauldo still sidelined.
One adjustment Caldwell hinted at: getting Cooper off the ball more, especially when she logs heavy minutes. That could give her cleaner looks and more space to attack downhill without always initiating the offense.
Final Play Breakdown
With the game on the line, Tennessee had a chance to tie or win - but the execution faltered. Caldwell explained that the play was designed for Zakaiya “Zee” Franklin to keep the ball and shift the action to the opposite side of the floor, where there was more space.
That didn’t happen. “Zee should have kept it and wheeled it towards the other side,” Caldwell said.
Still, she wasn’t pointing fingers. “It’s not a single person’s fault,” she added.
“If anyone, that one’s on us.” It was a teaching moment in a high-pressure situation - and one this team will need to learn from fast.
Fouls and Turnovers: The Deciding Factors
Caldwell didn’t sugarcoat it - the two biggest issues were fouling and turnovers. “We fouled them way too many times,” she said.
Texas went to the line 23 times, and Tennessee’s 22 turnovers gave the Longhorns too many extra possessions. In a two-point game, that’s the margin.
Those are the kinds of controllable mistakes that can swing tight games, especially against elite opponents. And in the SEC, there’s no margin for error.
Jersey Wolfenbarger Steps Up
One of the bright spots? Jersey Wolfenbarger.
The sophomore forward gave Tennessee a much-needed spark off the bench, and Caldwell didn’t hold back in her praise. “That was excellent.
We needed it,” she said. “I don’t think the game would have been as close without it.”
Wolfenbarger played with purpose - running in transition, setting screens, and making smart plays. “She didn’t go out there and look lost at all,” Caldwell noted.
“She did well for us. I was proud of her.”
Building Toughness for the Road Ahead
The SEC doesn’t give you time to catch your breath, and Caldwell knows it. With a loaded schedule coming up, including a tough road game in two days, the Lady Vols have to regroup - quickly.
“We need to be mad about it,” Caldwell said. “Not sad, not pouty.
We need to take our anger out in our next game.”
Caldwell framed this moment as a turning point. “We’re trying to build toughness right now,” she said.
And that starts with effort - something she saw more of on Sunday. “I think we got a wake-up call.
I think they’re awake now.”
Leadership Emerging
There was a key moment in the game when things could have unraveled. Tennessee had a brief meltdown, but Caldwell called a timeout, and something different happened: leadership.
Players responded, didn’t hang their heads, and moved on. “That’s a giant step,” Caldwell said.
In a season that’s had its ups and downs, that kind of mental growth matters. It doesn’t show up in the box score, but it shows up in close games - and Tennessee’s going to play a lot more of those.
Looking Ahead
With Mia Pauldo still without an update, Tennessee’s rotation remains in flux. That means more responsibility for players like Cooper, and more minutes for others across the board.
“They’re going to be sore,” Caldwell said of her team. “We had people play a lot of minutes, especially for how we play.”
Practice will be light, focused on the essentials and scout-specific prep. But the message is clear: the Lady Vols need to carry the fire from this loss into the next game. The SEC doesn’t wait, and neither can they.
This was a tough loss, yes - but it also showed a team that’s starting to find its fight. Now it’s about channeling that into wins.