Lady Vols Fall Just Short Against Texas, But Show Grit in the Fight
After a gritty 65-63 loss to Texas, Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell didn’t sugarcoat things. The Lady Vols battled, clawed, and nearly stole one late, but ultimately ran out of time. Still, Caldwell saw signs of the toughness she’s been preaching all season - and she knows they’ll need every ounce of it with a quick turnaround on the road.
A Crowd That Made a Difference
Before diving into the Xs and Os, Caldwell made sure to shout out the home crowd. And rightfully so.
Thompson-Boling Arena was electric, one of the best environments the Lady Vols have seen all year - and that’s saying something. The fans didn’t just show up, they showed out, fueling a late-game surge that almost flipped the script.
“We hit some tough shots down the stretch, and that definitely was because of our fans,” Caldwell said. “They willed us.”
Texas Earns It, But Tennessee Was Coming
Caldwell gave credit where it was due - Texas executed when it mattered. But this wasn’t a game Tennessee lost because of a lack of effort or execution down the stretch. It was more about timing.
“I think we ran out of time,” Caldwell said. “Momentum was going our way.”
That late push was a testament to the team’s resilience. Down but not out, the Lady Vols kept swinging. And while the final score stings, Caldwell saw a fight in her group that can carry over.
Turnovers and Fouls: The Game Within the Game
When Caldwell broke down what cost Tennessee the win, she didn’t have to dig too deep into the stat sheet.
“We fouled them way too many times. We gave them 23 foul shots, and we turned the ball over 22 times,” she said.
That’s the math that matters. Against a team like Texas, giving away possessions and gifting free points at the line is a tough recipe to overcome - even with a late surge.
Talaysia Cooper: High Usage, High Impact
Talaysia Cooper’s night was a mixed bag - a high-usage performance with some costly turnovers, but also stretches where she flat-out carried the offense.
“She did a really good job of playing through mistakes,” Caldwell said. “She still continued to put us on her back at times.”
Caldwell acknowledged the turnover count, but also pointed out how Cooper never let it derail her. That kind of mental toughness doesn’t show up in the box score - but it matters.
With Mia Pauldo still sidelined and no update on her return, Cooper’s role remains massive. Caldwell hinted at ways to ease that burden, like getting her off the ball more or pairing her with Pauldo once she’s back. For now, though, it’s clear Cooper is being asked to do a lot - and she’s responding with grit.
Zee Spearman’s Final Possession and the Bigger Picture
As for the final play, Caldwell didn’t shy away from the details. Spearman had a chance to attack space on the other side of the floor but didn’t take it. Still, Caldwell didn’t pin the loss on a single moment or player.
“If anyone, that one's on us,” she said.
That’s a coach taking responsibility - and reinforcing a key message: games aren’t won or lost on one play. It’s the accumulation of decisions, execution, and discipline across 40 minutes.
Jersey Wolfenbarger Steps Up
One bright spot Caldwell was quick to highlight? Jersey Wolfenbarger.
“She stepped up,” Caldwell said. “She didn’t go out there and look lost at all.”
Wolfenbarger brought energy, made plays in transition, set screens, and looked comfortable in a high-pressure spot. That kind of contribution off the bench is exactly what this team needs as it navigates a tough stretch of the schedule.
Mental Toughness in a Brutal League
Caldwell didn’t mince words about the SEC grind.
“This is the toughest league in the country. You cannot take a night off against anyone,” she said.
That message came through loud and clear after the Texas loss. The Lady Vols got a wake-up call - and Caldwell believes they’ve answered it.
She saw leadership in the huddle. She saw players bounce back from mistakes.
She saw a team that didn’t fold when things got tight.
“I think we had that one little meltdown there, and we called a timeout, and we had some leadership,” she said. “They didn’t hang their heads.”
No Time to Dwell - Ole Miss Awaits
There’s no time to feel sorry for themselves. Tennessee is back on the road Tuesday at Ole Miss in a makeup game from earlier in the season. It’s a quick turnaround, and Caldwell knows recovery is key.
“They’re going to be sore,” she said. “We’re going to have to get the basics in, get what we need in, the scout-specific things, and then get on the road.”
The matchup won’t be easy - Ole Miss is coming off a loss too, and both teams will be hungry. But Caldwell wants her group to channel their frustration the right way.
“We need to be mad about it,” she said. “We don’t need to be sad, we don’t need to be pouty... We need to take our anger out in our next game.”
Bottom Line
This one hurt. But it also revealed something about the Lady Vols - they’re not backing down. They’re learning, adjusting, and showing signs of the mental edge Caldwell has been trying to instill.
Now it’s about turning that edge into execution - and doing it quickly. The SEC doesn’t wait, and neither can Tennessee.