The Lady Vols faced off against the USA Olympic Softball team Saturday afternoon in an exhibition game, ultimately losing a hard fought game 4-2.

The stop in Knoxville, which is part of a 45 city tour for the Olympic team as they prepare for their trip to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, was much anticipated as Sherri Parker Lee Softball Stadium was filled over capacity with 1,622 fans in attendance.

Megan Rhodes started off the game with sold pitching for the Lady Vols. After giving up a double to start the game, she was able to make two batters to fly out and followed up by striking out Kelly Kretschman to finish off the Olympic team in inning one.

Tonya Callahan also helped the Lady Vols to a quick offensive start in the first when she hit a deep home run to center field off of former Tennessee standout Monica Abbott.

Jennifer Lapicki took advantage of her shot at Abbott in the second inning when she homered to nearly the same spot in center field, giving Tennessee an early two-run lead.

After Caitlin Lowe and Natasha Watley got on base for Team USA to start the third, Lady Vols head coach Ralph Weekly made a pitching change and brought in Danielle Pieroni.

After allowing a sacrifice fly and a single, Pieroni forced the next two batters to fly out to get Tennessee out of the jam.

Obviously, we always intend to win. But this is the greatest team in the world, 249-1 coming in, and they've been bombarding the teams they faced. Head Coach Ralph WeeklyPeironi and Abbott enjoyed solid pitching innings in the fourth but Peironi struggled with consistency in the fifth. Watley reached base on a single; Jessica Mendoza then hit a homerun to give USA the lead.

Two batters later, Kretschman blasted a home run to give the Olympic squad a two-run lead that carried for the remainder of the game.

Ashton Ward came in and pitched the remainder of the game for the Lady Vols. Ward struck out two in 2 1/3 innings of work and allowed no hits or walks.

The final score of 4-2 was modest in comparison to many of the recent games Team USA participated in. 

"Obviously, we always intend to win," Weekly said. "But this is the greatest team in the world, 249-1 coming in, and they've been bombarding the teams they faced. And it is really challenging to face Monica, we don't have anybody that can emulate that."

Abbott's contributions to UT were appreciated and acknowledged by the fans in attendance. 

"Monica [Abbott] is a program builder, there's no doubt about it. She's an outstanding athlete, an outstanding person," Athletic Director Joan Cronan said. "She has meant so much not only to softball but also to the University."

Despite the loss, the Lady Vols should pick up a significant amount of confidence heading into the remainder of the season.

"This game was great for us, it gives us the confidence to go on the road and know that if we play with that mentality and that intensity we can beat anyone," Pieroni said. 

Next up for the Lady Vols will be a doubleheader against Ole Miss Wednesday afternoon. Game one is scheduled for 3 p.m.