Harper Peterson and Avery Mills walked into Tennessee’s women’s basketball media day with very different college paths behind them, but the same message came through loud and clear: they’ve found something special with the Lady Vols.
Both juniors are in their first season at Tennessee after transferring in from different situations. Peterson arrived from Stanford after a sophomore year with limited minutes, while Mills came over after a sophomore season at Liberty in which she led the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game. On media day, the two opened up about the adjustment, the new surroundings and the bond they’ve already built with their teammates.
“It’s been amazing. A big adjustment coming from ACC and across the country, but I really wouldn’t change this experience at all.
The coaches have been amazing, pouring into me every day. I’ve grown so much since I’ve been here, and I love the girls.
We hang out all day every day, and yeah, I just love it here.” Peterson said.
Mills echoed that feeling, even while acknowledging her own path has looked different.
“Yeah, I agree. It’s been a huge blessing being here.
Obviously for me a little different. Haven’t really been on the court with everyone, but still I wouldn’t trade this experience, these people, coaches, players, staff, everyone.
I wouldn’t trade them for anything. It’s been amazing.”
Mills said.
For Peterson, the move has brought more than just a new jersey. She framed it as a reset.
“Yeah. It’s a fresh start and honestly a lot of weight off our shoulders.
Just coming in, everything’s new, a fresh new beginning. New people and just like to prove a lot of people wrong who didn’t believe in us in the past and like we all shared our experiences, and we’re just ready to all work together and for each other.
We all have each other’s backs and we’re like a family. This is a sisterhood that none of us would ever change.”
Peterson said.
Peterson also talked about the day-to-day adjustments of landing in Knoxville after growing up in California. The weather, the driving, the roads - all of it has been a change. But she said the city has made an impression.
“Yeah, I’m a true California kid. Like I cannot do weather under 70.
It’s going to be a struggle. It’s going to be a little bit of a struggle and a big adjustment, but it’s been way different.
The driving here, the roads here. I’m not a crazy driver.
I’m just like I’m so used to getting places quicker because everybody in California drives fast. So, it’s been a bit of an adjustment and all of our tax money goes to the roads and the roads here are not good.
So, it’s been a big adjustment, but I really loved it here. I still love it here and I really wouldn’t change this at all.
Like my parents, I call them every single day and I tell them something new I’ve learned about Knoxville or like something new I tried around here. There’s always something to do around here and the people here are amazing and so friendly.
That’s not like that in California at all.” Peterson said.
Mills, meanwhile, traced her own path across several states before settling into Lynchburg, Virginia, as home.
“I’ve actually lived a lot of different places. I say Lynchburg, Virginia.
That’s where I went to high school. I was born in Delaware, lived in upstate New York for a little while.
Then I lived in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, but Lynchburg is home. That’s where my parents are.”
Mills said.
Away from the gym, the two have settled into routines with the rest of the team. Mills said the group makes time for simple things like new restaurants, nails, walks and Bible study.
“Yeah, new restaurants. I mean, I feel like we do a lot.
Yeah, some will get our nails done, you know, maybe just go for a walk. There’s a lot to do.
We have Bible study about every week together, so that’s fun. But yeah.”
Mills said.
Peterson added a few more details about how the Lady Vols spend their free time, including one tradition she started herself.
“I started a Taco Tuesday club and so we try a new taco restaurant every Tuesday. So that’s been fun to try something new.
We go to a bowling place with the zip line in it too. I can’t remember the name, but we all go to that a lot.
Movies, walks, the river, the pools. We all live in apartments close to each other, so we just walk to each other’s apartments all the time.”
Peterson said.
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