Head Coach Holly Warlick

Opening statement:
“I have a big smile on my face. I love this basketball team. They are very gritty, they are very competitive, and for the most part, they work hard. They’ve done a great job in practice, been very coachable. It’s a really, really tight-knit group. They are tight, and we haven’t had that in a long time. Again, I really love this basketball team, and I enjoy coaching them.”

If the team will be a better 3-point shooting team this year:
“We have a chance. The kids – Rennia Davis and Evina Westbrook, Meme Jackson – they have been in the gym quite a bit throughout the summer and this fall. I think bringing in Zaay Green and Rae Burrell is going to help as well. I think we’ll have more options.”

On Rennia Davis adapting to a leadership role as a sophomore:
“Rennia is one of those kids that has gotten in the gym. She’s gotten stronger with our weight program. One thing I do believe is that Rennia has separated herself. She is taking the physical side of the game, she is becoming more physical. I thought last year she shied away from that, but she has really gotten stronger and is becoming a better ball-handler — just a complete player. We need her to be, she needs to be our go-to player.”

On why this group is so close:
“It’s a feel. They interact with each other, they help each other, they stay and work on their game together. It’s just a camaraderie that I feel that we haven’t had in awhile.”

On having a committee at the post position:
“We’re going to do it by committee. Kasi (Kushkituah) has done a great job getting in shape, working on her physical appearance, just becoming stronger. I’ve been really impressed with how she has progressed from last year to this year. Cheridene Green is healthy now, and then you throw in Kamera (Harris), who I think is improving on a daily basis. So we’re going to do it by committee. Mimi Collins has a chance; she can play inside and she can face up. We’ve got a lot of weapons for that spot. We might not pound the ball in as much as we did last year, but we’re still going to go inside. I think you’ll be pleased with how Kasi has progressed.”

On rebounding as a team this season:
“We’re going to have to. Rebounding has been the key for us. Last year we didn’t dominate the boards like we had in the past through our guards. You look at Cheridene Green, who rebounds outside of her area. She had big plays last year for us — second-chance points. Kasi and Kamera are going to have to move out of their area. We’re going to have to get a lot more rebounding production from our perimeter. We’re very capable. We’re athletic, we’re faster, we’re stronger. We’re very capable of doing that, it’s just a matter of making sure we control the boards.”

On why the team turned the ball over so much last year:
“That’s a combination of a lot of things. If I would say one thing, it’s that we have to cut down on turnovers. (We turned it over last year because of) youth, style of play, getting used to each other, but that’s got to change. Has it gotten better? Yes. Our first scrimmage, we had 23 turnovers. Our next scrimmage, we had 20. So it is going down, but we’re really putting an emphasis on it. We’re not going to win a lot of games if we continue to turn the ball over. Those are possessions that you don’t have a possibility of scoring the basketball. That’s been our Achilles heel, and that’s got to change.”

On whether most of the turnovers have come from the point guard position:
“Not all of them. It’s pretty much an equal opportunity from everyone. Trying to play too fast, throwing one-hand passes, rushing an outlet and throwing it out of bounds. I can’t tell you how much that frustrates me. I charted our 500 turnovers from last year, I watched every one of them. You look at them and you say, ‘Were they footwork? Did you walk? Did you charge?’ Those type of things. Were there a lot of unforced errors? And there were a lot of unforced errors – playing too fast, not communicating with a receiver, not making eye contact, such little things that we can correct. We don’t need to hit a home run every time, we just need to get a base hit. And a base hit is getting an easy pass to allow someone to take an easier shot.”

On how the team looks defensively:
“We’ve put a lot of emphasis on our defense. We’ve pressed a lot more, and we’re pressing all over the court. We’re not in game shape right now. We’re in good shape; we’re not in great shape, but that will come because of our style of play. We want to turn you over, and we want to get easy shots. The best way to do that is pressing and pressuring the ball. That is the style we want to play. We want to go up and down on offense obviously, but then we want to turn around and do that as well on the defensive end.”

On whether she’s concerned about foul trouble among the freshman:

“A little. I think (I’ll know more) once we get into games and see how the officials are calling it, how fast the tempo is. They’ve adjusted really well. In fact, some of them, they don’t know what they’re supposed to know and not know. They’re just going out and playing hard, and that’s what I love about this freshman group. Out of the recruiting classes I’ve had, they are, as a combined group, they’re the most competitive group I’ve ever been around. So, I think they can handle it, but it’s going to be how the game is played, and maybe they’re a little bit too aggressive. I’m sure adrenaline is going to kick in at first, but I know they understand what they can and can’t do. It’s a matter of will they do it.”

On how the seniors on the team have mentored the younger players:

“Meme Jackson has matured so much and has been a great leader on and off the court, and so has Cheridene (Green). Your seniors have to lead; they have to lead. But then you throw in Evina Westbrook who is a sophomore, and at times, I feel like she is a senior because of the load that she has carried from last year, the position she was put in as a freshman running a basketball team, which is extremely difficult. She handled it so well, and I look at her maturity. If I had to say one kid that has improved the most from last year to this year, I would say Evina, and that is just because she has committed to the practice end of the game. Last year she went in and out. This year, she has been an unbelievable leader on that, as you say lead by example, but also pulling kids aside, making sure they understand, putting her arm around her. She’s been tremendous. Seniors, yes, (and) Evina has done a heck of a job, and then Rennia Davis, who’s really not a natural-born leader, she has stepped up her game. So, we have a lot of people stepping up and doing it by committee, and they’re doing a great job.”

On whether she is surprised by how tight-knit this team is despite their youth:

“(I was) concerned about it, yes, at the beginning. Again, we have four freshman who are highly-competitive, but when you talk to them (and) you get to know them, it’s about team. It’s not about individual accolades. Sure, they want to do that, but that is never mentioned when I talk to them about what do you want to do for this team. That’s unusual. We’re sophomores and freshman, mainly. You’ve got a sophomore group that has gotten experience, but they’re still hungry. So, they are relaying that to these freshmen, and it’s just a feel. It’s like choosing a school where you want to go when you’re being recruited. You’ve got to feel it in your gut, and I just feel that. I see it on a daily basis. We’ll get after each other a little bit, but it’s a feel. I think if you watch us long enough, you’ll see it. You’ll feel it.”

On Lou Brown and how she has battled through injury and adversity:

“Well, it was devastating to us and to me. I knew when she went down it wasn’t good, and what a great kid who had to jump through hoops to get here. We had a lot of people in the state of Tennessee help us, and it was very unfortunate. But we’re going to try to petition for another year for her, but her maturity is something that we just so desperately need, and she’s going to help us. She’s helping us in practice, watching, she’s helping us on the bench, talking to players. She’s a kid that we’re going to use and she’s going to make an impact regardless of if she’s on the court or sitting on the bench or on the sideline. She’s just a super, super kid, I really almost physically got sick, for her. That’s the kind of kid she is, and she’s never experienced this before, but we’re going to try to get her there, and hopefully she’ll be able to show her talents next season.”

On the point guard rotation:

“Well, it’s Evina’s (Westbrook) right now. I think Jazmine Massengill is a special kid; she’s going to be a leader. I didn’t put her in that leadership category right now because she’s a freshman, but you can see it. She’s very knowledgeable of the game. (I’m) very confident that she can come in, and she and Evina can split time. She’s got a calming effect to her, which we need. She knows when to slow the ball down, she knows when to pick it up. I knew what I was getting when I sat down and talked with her and watched film. She’s a special kid.”

On who has stood out among the newcomers:

“Well, they’re so different. Zaay Green is that slasher, three-point shooter we haven’t had. She’s an attacker. She would probably stand out to you, just because of her speed and her quickness, especially with the ball. Then you have Jaz (Massengill), who’s in that leadership role, which I just talked about. Mimi Collins is kind of a utility player for us that we haven’t had. She’s unbelievably physically strong, she can play inside, can play out and shoot the three if needed. She’s just got a high basketball I.Q., and she’s one of those kids that you’ll think, “What did Mimi do?”, and you look down and she’ll have ten points, six rebounds – that type of kid. Probably the sleeper of that group is Rae Burrell. She got on the AAU circuit late. I thought she could score the basketball, and she is a much better scorer than I had anticipated. Watching her practice, she’s just highly competitive. She’s not very fearful of a lot of things. So, all of them have a great chance. They all have a great chance, and I anticipate all of them getting an opportunity to play.”

Sophomore Guard Evina Westbrook 

On having a prominent role on the team as a sophomore:

“As a sophomore, I kind of already know, especially being a point guard on the team, that this is my team. My leadership role is more powerful than ever, especially this year, and really stressing that I have to be a leader. I can’t take days off or plays off, so I’ve really got to pull through for my team in any type of way.”

On how she handles the responsibility of knowing she has a starting position:

“I really embrace it. I love that my teammates look for me and count on me for plays or whatever they need. I fell like I’m that person they can always count on. I love every bit of it, and that’s why I know I can’t take plays off. I always have to work hard and continue to be that fire on the team and encourage people to do what they’re supposed to do at all times.”

On the advice she has given the freshmen:

“I really stress to them that I was in their shoes last season and know how they feel – to be confused with the plays and to not know what to expect for games – but if you come in every day for practice and work hard each and every possession, you’re going to be fine.

On how great she thinks Rennia Davis can be:

“Great. Especially her, but I think anyone else on this team can have the most success that anyone can have, but her especially. Her game has just taken off, and I know what she wants to do, and what she has in mind is going to be great this year.”

On her motivation to return this program to where it once was:

“That was a big reason why I committed here, the whole Lady Vol brand and name. Having our alumni come back like Candace (Parker), (Cheryl) Littlejohn, Shannon Bobbitt, and having Nicky Anosike as our grad assistant… the culture is all there. You can see it by how they talk, walk, and talk about the game to us. To have them come back and watch us, for me, it’s the most beautiful thing to have them come back and mentor us. We’ve really got to take care of our tradition this year.”

On what it has meant having Dean Lockwood on the coaching staff:

“What I love about Dean is I’ve never seen him have a bad day. If he’s having a bad day, you’ll never be able to see it. He has the most energy all the time. That can get a little too much for us sometimes (Westbrook laughs), but I think especially for this team, when we’re kind of in a slump, he’ll be that person to say, ‘Come on! Let’s go!’ Him being on the staff is very helpful for everyone.”

On the differences that having that chemistry in games can make:
“We have a huge advantage trying to nail this into especially our younger players minds early. Not only the chemistry within the team, but also the style of play that we want this year and just the whole dynamic of our style of play and what really that means in the Lady Vol tradition and what that name means for our young players.”

On her role on helping the team cut down on turnovers:
“My role plays a big part in that, being a point guard and having the ball in my hands pretty much most of the time. So, I have to do a better job myself, protecting the ball but also holding my teammates accountable for taking care of the ball and really valuing the ball each and every possession.”

On the biggest thing she learned from her freshman season and what she has worked on this summer:
“From last year I really just learned how long the season is. It’s your freshman year, (and) you just really don’t understand. And especially me and Re (Rennia Davis), we really hated the name “freshman” and being called a “freshman”, but now that is out of the way. I have a year underneath my belt, so I have a lot more experience and will be able to stress to our freshman what it is going to be like. For me personally, I have really developed my shot over this summer, just taking the time to really understand the little things that I need to do, and really just trying to improve any aspect that I can and become a better leader for this team.”

Senior Forward Cheridene Green

On being one of two seniors on the team and the role she is looking to build upon:

“Being a veteran, this year I’m working on being more vocal. Also leading by example, like working hard and doing as I can. But I’m really focusing on being vocal, like telling my teammates they’re doing a good job and what they’re not doing, echoing what the coaches are saying. If I don’t understand something, I’m not hesitant, and I repeat exactly what the instructions are. I may get it wrong sometimes, but now I’m more confident in myself with what I’m supposed to be doing. So, I think that’s the role I’m taking on this year is being more vocal with things.”

On how much stronger she is this season since she had time in the weight room:

“Well, I feel stronger. I feel very bouncy. I think I have done a great job with being in the weight room, and I’ve also controlled my eating habits. I just feel great, to be honest.”

On what leadership looks like on the team this season after losing seniors:

“This year, I feel like everyone leads. It’s not just one person, which is good. Everyone doesn’t just look to one person. Everyone feels comfortable enough to tell someone something. Everyone feels comfortable enough to speak, which I think is really good on a team because that means we take accountability for ourselves, not just the coaches.

On what it has meant having Dean Lockwood on the coaching staff:

“As a person, he’s a great guy. He’s very helpful to me, and we’ve bonded. He really understands my thought process and how I can retain information. In general, he’s a very good asset to me and he’s very trustworthy, so I love him.”

On the tight-knit relationships the team has built:

“I think you can tell from… even outside of basketball we hang out with each other. We high-five each other a lot. We encourage each other; we also hold everyone accountable. We are always goofing, but also serious when we need to be, but we are very much, sort of, cool.”

On how she sees her role expanding and replacing Mercedes Russell:
“I don’t really see it as replacing Mercedes Russell, because we play differently. I may be able to play the five or the four, but I really am just focusing on my skill and what I can bring to the team and how they’re going to need me this year. So, I am really focused on being effective in any aspect.”

On what she has worked on during the offseason: 
“During the offseason I have worked on trying to be consistent. I have worked on my shot a lot, facing up, and also being more confident in myself and not overthinking and just playing.”

Warlick Presser | Green/Westbrook Presser ​| Photo Gallery | Media Day Player Quotes

-UT Athletics