The Lady Vols are getting reinforcements at just the right time.
When No. 20 Tennessee heads to Tuscaloosa for a top-25 showdown with No.
21 Alabama on Sunday afternoon, they’ll have two key pieces back in the rotation. Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd are both active and expected to suit up, giving head coach Kim Caldwell some much-needed depth as SEC play heats up.
Caldwell had hinted at this good news earlier in the week, noting that both players had returned to practice and were trending in the right direction. Now, it’s official - and it couldn’t come at a better moment.
Cooper, who’s been one of Tennessee’s most dynamic players this season, is returning after missing last weekend’s win over Arkansas. She suffered a head injury during pregame shootaround when she was accidentally hit by a ball.
It was a tough break for a player who’s been doing a little bit of everything for the Lady Vols. Through the early stretch of conference play, Cooper has been stuffing the stat sheet: 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.4 steals, and half a block per game.
That’s not just production - that’s impact.
She’s also drawing serious attention from WNBA scouts, and for good reason. Cooper’s versatility on both ends of the floor, especially in Caldwell’s up-tempo system, has made her one of the most intriguing prospects in the SEC. Her return gives Tennessee a major boost as they face an Alabama team that’s been climbing the rankings in its own right.
As for Boyd, her impact might not be as obvious on the stat sheet, but make no mistake - she matters. The redshirt sophomore is averaging just 2.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, but she’s carved out a role as one of the Lady Vols’ better perimeter defenders. She’s thrived in Caldwell’s pressure-heavy defensive scheme, using her quickness and anticipation to disrupt opposing guards.
Boyd has also shown a knack for knocking down shots when it counts. She’s shooting 40.6% from the field and 31.6% from beyond the arc - solid numbers that speak to her ability to stretch the floor and make defenses pay for leaving her open.
Tennessee will need all of that and more on Sunday. Alabama, sitting just one spot behind the Lady Vols in the rankings, will be without Reychel Douglas, while forward Essence Cody is listed as questionable. That could open up opportunities in the paint, but Tennessee will still have to contend with a disciplined and physical Tide squad that’s been tough at home.
Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network, and with both teams looking to make a statement in the SEC race, expect a high-energy, high-stakes battle in Tuscaloosa. With Cooper and Boyd back in the mix, the Lady Vols are closer to full strength - and that makes them a much tougher out.