TRANSFER MAEVE THORNTON SIGNS WITH LADY VOLS
Courtesy / UT AThletics

TRANSFER MAEVE THORNTON SIGNS WITH LADY VOLS

KNOXVILLE, Tenn – Sophomore transfer Maeve Thornton is officially the newest member of the Tennessee women’s tennis program, head coach Alison Ojeda announced on Thursday.

A Knoxville native and graduate of nearby Knoxville Catholic High School, Thornton will join the Lady Vols in 2024-25 with three years of collegiate eligibility remaining. 

Thornton joins the Lady Vols after a one-year stint at Furman where she posted a 9-11 dual-match record in singles and served as the No. 2 player in the Paladins’ lineup in 2024. In doubles, she posted 11 wins while competing with multiple partners, extensively playing alongside Grace Thomas. The duo went undefeated together, amassing a 9-0 record primarily playing at the No. 3 spot in Furman’s lineup.

Prior to her time in college, Thornton was rated a blue chip recruit by tennisrecruiting.net and was ranked as high as No. 22 nationally, while also being the top-ranked player in Tennessee. She led Knoxville Catholic to a pair of state championships and claimed two individual singles state titles. The Tennessee Player of the Year in 2019, Thornton was the Southern’s singles champion for 12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s, and won the doubles championship for 18s. She was also a gold ball winner at indoor nationals for doubles at the age of 14.

Thornton is the sixth signee officially announced for the 2024 recruiting class for Tennessee joining Vanesa Suarez, Natalia Perez, Conley Raidt, Brooklyn Schafer and Saray Yli-Piipari.

TRIO OF VOLS EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS FROM D1BASEBALL.COM
Courtesy / UT Athletics

TRIO OF VOLS EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS FROM D1BASEBALL.COM

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee had three players earn D1Baseball.com All-America honors on Wednesday as Blake BurkeChristian Moore and Dylan Dreiling were all recognized for their impressive seasons for the national champion Volunteers.

Burke and Moore were both tabbed as first-team selections while Dreiling was named a third-team pick by the publication.

With his selection at first base, Burke earned his fifth first-team All-America honor this season, becoming the second UT player to do so in the Tony Vitello era, joining pitcher Chase Dollander (2022). Burke is now a member of an exclusive group of Volunteers to garner first-team acclaim from five or more outlets, joining the likes of program legends Todd Helton (1995), Jeff Pickler (1998), Chris Burke (2001) and Luke Hochevar (2005), along with Dollander.

The California native had the best season of his collegiate career, leading the nation with 30 doubles and finishing second in the country with 108 hits. The junior slugger’s 30 doubles are tied for the most in program history while his 108 hits rank fifth most in Tennessee single-season history. Burke also posted career highs in batting average (.379), runs (74), home runs (20), RBIs (61), walks (35), total bases (200) and stolen bases (11).

Moore received first-team honors in the designated hitter spot and has garnered All-America acclaim from all five major outlets this season, including three first-team selections after having one of the greatest single seasons in program history.

The junior second baseman became just the third player in Southeastern Conference history to win the Triple Crown with his stats in league play, leading the SEC with a .429 batting average, 20 home runs and 41 RBIs in conference play while also leading the league with 57 hits and 123 total bases.

Moore finished the year as the nation’s leader in hits (111) and total bases (236) while also ranking in the top-25 nationally in home runs (3rd – 34), runs (t-8th – 83) and slugging percentage (14th – .797).

Moore’s numbers from this season rank in the top 10 in UT single-season annals in multiple categories, including first in home runs (34), first in total bases (236), first in extra-base hits (55), second in hits (111), third in runs (83), seventh in slugging percentage (.797) and seventh in RBIs (74).

Dreiling rounded out the group with his first-career All-America selection, earning third-team honors. The Kansas native had a monster sophomore season, hitting .341 with 19 doubles, 23 home runs and a team-leading 75 RBIs, which rank sixth most in program history. The first-team All-SEC outfielder also led the Big Orange with 53 walks and a .459 on-base percentage.

Dreiling saved his best performances for the biggest moments, earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the Men’s College World Series after leading the team with a .542 batting average, three home runs and 11 RBIs during the Vols’ championship run in Omaha. In the championship series, Dreiling went 7-for-12 with four runs and seven RBIs and became the first player in MCWS history to homer in all three games of the finals.

The complete D1Baseball.com All-America teams can be found HERE and a full listing of Tennessee’s postseason All-America honors can be found below.

Tennessee 2024 All-America Honors

Drew Beam – Jr. – RHP
NCBWA – 3rd Team

Blake Burke – Jr. – 1B
D1Baseball.com – 1st Team (1B)
ABCA – 1st Team (1B)
Baseball America – 1st Team (1B)
NCBWA – 1st Team (1B)
Perfect Game – 1st Team (1B)

AJ Causey – Jr. – RHP
ABCA – 3rd Team (P)
NCBWA – 3rd Team (RP)
Perfect Game – 3rd Team (SP)

Dylan Dreiling – So. – OF
D1Baseball.com – 3rd Team (OF)

Dylan Loy – Fr. – LHP
NCBWA – Freshman 2nd Team (RP)

Christian Moore – Jr. – 2B
D1Baseball.com – 1st Team (1B)
Baseball America – 1st Team (DH)
Perfect Game – 1st Team (IF)
ABCA – 2nd Team (2B)
NBWA – 2nd Team (2B)

KNECHT SELECTED NO. 17 IN 2024 NBA DRAFT BY LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNECHT SELECTED NO. 17 IN 2024 NBA DRAFT BY LOS ANGELES LAKERS

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Dalton Knecht became the ninth-highest drafted player in University of Tennessee men’s basketball history Wednesday night, as he went No. 17 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Knecht’s name at 9:58 p.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., live on ABC and ESPN. He was the 11th collegian selected, including the third from the SEC.

The highest-drafted Volunteer since Marcus Haislip went No. 13 in 2002, Knecht is the 10th top-20 pick in Tennessee history and the first since Tobias Harris went No. 19 in 2011. He is the 54th total NBA Draft choice from Tennessee, including the 16th in the top 30 and the 12th in the first round.

Three prior Volunteers have been drafted by the Lakers, two of whom were chosen when the team played in Minneapolis. Knecht joins Doug Atkins (No. 119 in 1953), Carl Widseth (No. 83 in 1956) and A.W. Davis (No. 43 in 1965) on that list.

Knecht is the 44th NBA player Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has coached in his 37 years leading a program, including the 33rd draftee, 19th first-rounder and 11th top-20 pick. Knecht is the 10th player Barnes has guided from Rocky Top to the NBA, including the eighth draftee and the fourth—all in the last six drafts—in the first round.

Just 11 prior individuals from a Colorado high school have been selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, with Knecht the first since Derrick White went No. 29 in 2017. Knecht is the highest-drafted such player since Chauncey Billups went third in 1997 and is the eighth-highest draftee ever from Colorado high school, with all but Billups coming over 40 years ago. The Prairie View High School graduate is the 10th top-20 selection from a Colorado high school, including the first since Jason Smith went No. 20 in 2007.

Born in Fargo, N.D., Knecht is the second-highest-drafted player ever born in the Peace Garden State, trailing the state’s only other first-rounder, Doug McDermott, who went No. 11 in 2014. Knecht, who competed at Northern Colorado from 2021-23, is the sixth individual who played in the Big Sky to go in the first round, including the first since Damian Lillard went sixth in 2012.

Following his two seasons at Northeastern Junior College, Knecht totaled 1,739 points in three years at the Division I level, an average of 16.9 per contest across 103 appearances. Before transferring to Tennessee in advance of the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-6, 213-pounder spent two years at Northern Colorado, where he won the Big Sky scoring title in 2022-23 at 20.2 points per game.

During his lone season at Tennessee as a fifth-year guard, Knecht led the SEC in scoring at 21.7 points per game, good for eighth-best in the country. The four-time SEC Player of the Week and two-time USBWA National Player of the Week added 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per outing, while shooting 45.8 percent overall, 39.7 percent beyond the arc and 77.2 percent at the line.

The SEC Player of the Year and Julius Erving Award designee, Knecht collected consensus First Team All-America status, becoming the fourth Volunteer ever to do so. The runner-up for Associated Press National Player of the Year and a finalist for both the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award, Knecht became the first SEC player since Shaquille O’Neal (Feb. 1991) to record back-to-back 35-point games.

Knecht scored 35-plus points six times in 2023-24 to break Bernard King’s single-season program record (five in 1975-76) and logged 30-plus eight times, matching Allan Houston (1989-90) for fourth-most by a Volunteer in a campaign. Knecht averaged 25.5 points per game in league play and 24.8 points per game on the road, both the second-best marks by an SEC player in the last two decades, with the former tops nationally in any league this season and the latter third-best (min. 3 GP) among DI players in 2023-24.

This is the fourth consecutive year a Tennessee player has been selected in the NBA Draft. Just nine other colleges entered 2024 with at least a three-year streak.

To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.  

Vitello Recognized as ABCA National Coach of the Year
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Vitello Recognized as ABCA National Coach of the Year

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Two days after leading Tennessee baseball to its first national championship in program history, head coach Tony Vitello was tabbed as the America Baseball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year.

Vitello led the Volunteers to a single-season record 60 victories and also guided the team to SEC regular season and tournament titles as part of an historic 2024 campaign.

UT made more history as the first SEC team to reach the 60-win mark in a single season and just the fourth conference team to win the SEC regular season title, SEC Tournament title and the NCAA Men’s College World Series in the same year, cementing itself as one of the greatest teams the sport has ever seen.

The Vols were also able to end the long drought of No. 1 national seeds coming up short in the postseason, becoming just the second No. 1 overall seed to win the MCWS since the tournament switched to its current format in 1999 – joining Miami who did so in 1999.

This marks Vitello’s first national coach of the year honor from the ABCA but is the fourth time he’s been named the nation’s top college baseball coach in his seven-year career.

Tennessee’s skipper was tabbed national coach of the year in 2021 by Perfect Game and the National College Baseball Writers Association. Perfect Game selected Vitello as its national coach of the year in 2022, as well.

Vitello was also chosen as the ABCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year earlier this week, his third time earning that honor in the last four years (2021, 2022, 2024).

Under Vitello’s leadership, Tennessee has made three trips to Omaha in the last four seasons, won four combined SEC championships and three SEC eastern division titles. During that four-year span, the Vols’ 211 victories and .773 winning percentage rank No. 1 nationally.

Knoxville Native Named New Yale University President

Knoxville Native Named New Yale University President

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Yale University has tapped a Knoxville native to be its 24th president.

The Yale Board of Trustees last week choosing Maurie McInnis for the post unanimously.

The board’s Senior Trustee and chair of the presidential search committee Josh Bekenstein described McInnis as “a compelling leader, distinguished scholar, and devoted educator” whose “experience and accomplishments over the past three decades have prepared her to lead Yale in the years ahead.”

McInnis earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia before earning her master’s and doctorate at Yale located in New Haven, Connecticut. Since then, she’s been heavily involved at Yale.

Kingsport Police Asking for Help to Find a Runaway Teen
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Kingsport Police Asking for Help to Find a Runaway Teen

Kingsport Police are asking for help to find a runaway teen.

14-year-old Exenia Pafford has been reported and entered into the national NICI database for missing persons.

Police say she is believed to have left her home voluntarily sometime Sunday night and may be heading to the Greeneville area.

Exenia was last seen wearing a black tank top, black sweatpants, white shoes with a Nike logo. She has a piercing on the right side of her nose. Exenia is 5′3″ tall and weighs 115 lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Exenia’s current whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Knoxville Police Identify Suspect and Victim in Fatal North Knoxville Stabbing

Knoxville Police Identify Suspect and Victim in Fatal North Knoxville Stabbing

Updated story: Knoxville Police have identified the victim and suspect from a deadly stabbing in the 400 Block of East Oldham Avenue.

The victim, 44 year-old Michelle Dresch, the suspect, 50-year-old Virgil Belin, who has a warrant charging him with first-degree murder.

Police believe Belin stabbed the victim multiple times following a domestic dispute and ran from the scene before officers arrived.

Belin is not in custody and anyone with information is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.

Original Story: Knoxville Police are investigating a deadly stabbing in North Knoxville.

Officers called to a home in the 400 block of E. Oldham Avenue to investigate a stabbing this morning (Monday). They found a woman who had been stabbed at least one time who was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Homicide detectives have strong leads but a suspect has not been arrested or charged.

Summer Movie Magic Series Back at Tennessee Theatre

Summer Movie Magic Series Back at Tennessee Theatre

The Summer Movie Magic series is coming back to the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville next month!

The event includes blockbuster hits and theater classics, and it runs from late July until late August. Here’s the lineup:

  • The Lion King – Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
  • The Matrix – Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m.
  • Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi – Saturday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m.
  • Thelma and Louise – Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
  • Jurassic Park – Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.

“The versatility of the Tennessee Theatre allows us to transform it into a majestic movie theater for the Summer Movie Magic Series,” Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock said. “It’s an exciting time of year with a lot of different movie-viewing opportunities, and we are excited to bring some classic blockbusters to our big screen. There really will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets to each showing will cost $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 12 or seniors over 65, and doors will open an hour before the showings. Those interested in getting tickets can do so by going to https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/

KPD: Knoxville Man Charged after Sexually Assaulting Woman at Market Square Parking Garage

KPD: Knoxville Man Charged after Sexually Assaulting Woman at Market Square Parking Garage

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is charged following an investigation into a sexual assault at the Market Square Parking Garage.

Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded to the parking garage at 406 Walnut Street around 2:00 p.m. Friday after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man in a bathroom at the parking garage.

KPD says the suspect, 30-year-old Demetricus Hurst, confessed Monday afternoon to sexually assaulting the victim after security camera photos of him were shared by East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.

He is charged with rape, aggravated kidnapping and sexual battery and has been booked into the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility.

Greene County Sheriff: Body Found in Nolichucky River

Greene County Sheriff: Body Found in Nolichucky River

Greeneville, TN (WOKI) Authorities in Greene County are investigating after a body is found in the Nolichucky River.

Officials with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department say the body was found off Bright Hope Road in the Nolichucky River Sunday afternoon.

Authorities report the body was sent to the William L. Jenkins Foresenic Center at ETSU for identification and to determine the cause of death.

No additional details have been released.

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner

Country News

TRANSFER MAEVE THORNTON SIGNS WITH LADY VOLS
Courtesy / UT AThletics

TRANSFER MAEVE THORNTON SIGNS WITH LADY VOLS

KNOXVILLE, Tenn – Sophomore transfer Maeve Thornton is officially the newest member of the Tennessee women’s tennis program, head coach Alison Ojeda announced on Thursday. A Knoxville native and graduate of nearby Knoxville Catholic High School, Thornton will join the Lady Vols in 2024-25 with three years of collegiate eligibility remaining.  Thornton joins the Lady Vols after a…Continue Reading

TRIO OF VOLS EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS FROM D1BASEBALL.COM
Courtesy / UT Athletics

TRIO OF VOLS EARN ALL-AMERICA HONORS FROM D1BASEBALL.COM

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee had three players earn D1Baseball.com All-America honors on Wednesday as Blake Burke, Christian Moore and Dylan Dreiling were all recognized for their impressive seasons for the national champion Volunteers. Burke and Moore were both tabbed as first-team selections while Dreiling was named a third-team pick by the publication. With his selection at first base, Burke earned his…Continue Reading

KNECHT SELECTED NO. 17 IN 2024 NBA DRAFT BY LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Courtesy / UT Athletics

KNECHT SELECTED NO. 17 IN 2024 NBA DRAFT BY LOS ANGELES LAKERS

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Dalton Knecht became the ninth-highest drafted player in University of Tennessee men’s basketball history Wednesday night, as he went No. 17 overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Knecht’s name at 9:58 p.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., live on ABC and ESPN. He…Continue Reading

Vitello Recognized as ABCA National Coach of the Year
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Vitello Recognized as ABCA National Coach of the Year

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Two days after leading Tennessee baseball to its first national championship in program history, head coach Tony Vitello was tabbed as the America Baseball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. Vitello led the Volunteers to a single-season record 60 victories and also guided the team to SEC regular season and tournament titles as part…Continue Reading

Knoxville Native Named New Yale University President

Knoxville Native Named New Yale University President

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Yale University has tapped a Knoxville native to be its 24th president. The Yale Board of Trustees last week choosing Maurie McInnis for the post unanimously. The board’s Senior Trustee and chair of the presidential search committee Josh Bekenstein described McInnis as “a compelling leader, distinguished scholar, and devoted educator” whose “experience and…Continue Reading

Kingsport Police Asking for Help to Find a Runaway Teen
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Kingsport Police Asking for Help to Find a Runaway Teen

Kingsport Police are asking for help to find a runaway teen. 14-year-old Exenia Pafford has been reported and entered into the national NICI database for missing persons. Police say she is believed to have left her home voluntarily sometime Sunday night and may be heading to the Greeneville area. Exenia was last seen wearing a…Continue Reading

Knoxville Police Identify Suspect and Victim in Fatal North Knoxville Stabbing

Knoxville Police Identify Suspect and Victim in Fatal North Knoxville Stabbing

Updated story: Knoxville Police have identified the victim and suspect from a deadly stabbing in the 400 Block of East Oldham Avenue. The victim, 44 year-old Michelle Dresch, the suspect, 50-year-old Virgil Belin, who has a warrant charging him with first-degree murder. Police believe Belin stabbed the victim multiple times following a domestic dispute and…Continue Reading

Summer Movie Magic Series Back at Tennessee Theatre

Summer Movie Magic Series Back at Tennessee Theatre

The Summer Movie Magic series is coming back to the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville next month! The event includes blockbuster hits and theater classics, and it runs from late July until late August. Here’s the lineup: “The versatility of the Tennessee Theatre allows us to transform it into a majestic movie theater for the…Continue Reading

KPD: Knoxville Man Charged after Sexually Assaulting Woman at Market Square Parking Garage

KPD: Knoxville Man Charged after Sexually Assaulting Woman at Market Square Parking Garage

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is charged following an investigation into a sexual assault at the Market Square Parking Garage. Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded to the parking garage at 406 Walnut Street around 2:00 p.m. Friday after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted by a man in a bathroom…Continue Reading

Greene County Sheriff: Body Found in Nolichucky River

Greene County Sheriff: Body Found in Nolichucky River

Greeneville, TN (WOKI) Authorities in Greene County are investigating after a body is found in the Nolichucky River. Officials with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department say the body was found off Bright Hope Road in the Nolichucky River Sunday afternoon. Authorities report the body was sent to the William L. Jenkins Foresenic Center at ETSU…Continue Reading