The Lady Vols basketball team enter the 2007-08 season with national championship aspirations as they do every season.

After last year's magical run to the NCAA Championship, The Lady Vols have been picked as the number one team in every major preseason poll, including USA Today/ESPN and the AP. 

 

"It's a lot to live up to, of course," said head coach Pat Summit. "We want to win a championship, too.''

 

Coach Summit enters the season as the all-time winningest college basketball coach with 974 victories but still has as much passion as she did when coaching her first game.

 

"I love what I do, so that's my motivation," said Summit. "I love to work with young people to try and to help them be successful. I don't feel like there's anything [I have to prove], I stay in the game because I love to do this." 

  

 

The Staten Island native has already left her mark on the program in her first three years. Last season, she joined Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker as the only Lady Vols to accumulate more than 600 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, 100 steals and 125 assists in their careers. Off the court, she is an All-SEC Academic Team selection and is pursuing majors in criminal justice, political science and legal studies. 

 

 

The point guard from Manhattan has become an integral part of the offense and a cornerstone on defense for the Lady Vols. After transferring from Trinity Valley Community College, she was able to step in and contribute immediately last season. She played a key role down the stretch in the tournament coming up with clutch plays when the Vols needed it most.  

 

 

At 5-11, the senior from West Virginia has a lot to show for her first three years. By the end of last season, she had joined legends Tamika Catchings and Chamique Holdsclaw as the only players in history to total more than 900 points, 500 rebounds, 350 assists, 250 steals and 50 blocks. In the past, her non-traditional style on offense has led to matchup nightmares and given her an upper hand while coaches have heralded her relentless defensive pressure. Hornbuckle's level of play this season will be pivotal if the Lady Vols are to repeat last year's success. 

 

 

 

The impact of All-American Candace Parker can't be overemphasized. Not only has she returned the Lady Vols to the top, but she also put the women's game in the spotlight. Her athletic ability and multi-dimensional skills give her one of the greatest skill sets of any basketball player in history. If she is able to stay healthy throughout the season, it's entirely possible that she could shatter the single-season scoring record of 974 points set by Cindy Brown of Long Beach State in 1987.  

 

 

 

In her time at Central Florida Community College in Orlando, she was a high scoring forward and finished second in the NJCAA in scoring in 2006. Auguste's versatility gave her the opportunity to get minutes off the bench last season for the Vols. While she has the ability to come in at the two, three and four, she will likely begin the season as the starter at small forward.

 

 

The redshirt junior from west Tennessee is listed as a starter on the depth chart this season for the Lady Vols after coming off the bench last year. Fuller scored more points in the first eight games of last year than she did in all of the 2005-2006 season, and will look to step up again this year. Last year, Fuller was named to the All-SEC Academic team.

 

 

The 5'4" local product from Heritage High School in Maryville saw limited action off the bench last season. She will redshirt this season after having knee surgery over the summer.

Incoming freshman

 

Sacramento High School, Sacramento Calif., selected as a 2007 1st Team All-American by USA Today, Parade Magazine, EA Sports and McDonald's.

 

University High School,  Spokane Valley, Wash.,  selected as a 2007 1st Team All-American by USA Today, Parade Magazine and EA Sports.

 

 

St. Pius X High School, Atlanta, Ga., selected as a 2007 WBCA, McDonald's and Parade Magazine All-American.

 

G Sydney Smallbone 

 

St. Joseph High School, Granger, Ind., 2007 McDonald's All-American nominee and 2007 runner-up for Indiana Miss Basketball.  

 

"They bring a lot of height to our team [the freshman]. We are a much bigger team this year than we were last year," said Alex Fuller, "We added a couple of six-footers which should help with rebounding and put-backs."

 

 

Summit expects big contributions immediately from Sydney Smallbone and Vicki Baugh, after their strong performances on the USA Basketball junior team.

 

Baugh's height and interior presence should provide the depth necessary for Candace Parker to focus her abilities more on the perimeter and open up opposing defenses more consistently than last year. 

 

While the team has made great improvements in the offseason, so has the competition. Some of the stiffest competition will come when the Lady Vols take to the road. 

 

“Our away schedule is very ambitious and challenging" said Summit, "It is the kind of line-up that will prepare us for anything. Obviously, this type of schedule generates a lot of excitement for our players and fans. By design, it’s as tough as ever, and this team has to step up every night and accept the challenge of our opponents.”

 

The Lady Vols will tip-off the regular season on Sunday, November 11 against UT-Chattanooga in Thompson-Boling Arena at 3 p.m.