Torchbearer: Winter 1996

From Women's Athletics: Sports Make Successful Debuts

Being the new kid on the block isn't always fun, nor is it easy to be successful. But the two new women's sports at UT bypassed the uncomfortable stage in their first fall of intercollegiate competition, making great progress for their upcoming spring campaigns.

Coach Jim Beitia's softball team blasted into existence by winning the first four games in its history and capturing the Tennessee Tech Fall Classic crown with an undefeated 4-0 mark. The Lady Vols put together an outstanding offensive performance, outscoring their opponents 37-12 and outhitting them 46-18.

Although Tennessee then dropped its first "home" games in a doubleheader against UT Chattanooga at Knoxville's Powell High School, Beitia deemed the fall a success. "The entire emphasis was about learning," he said. "We never talked about batting averages or wins and losses. Had we been concerned about our record, the pitching rotation wouldhave been different."

The crew team made the transition from a UT club sport to a member of the women's athletics department this fall in a way that made coach Susannah Iacovino excited about the potential for the program.

In its first outing, the Lady Vol crew returned from the Chattanooga Head Race with two silver medals and two bronze medals and finished third in the team scoring. UT then ripped through its home waters in the Head of the Tennessee in Knoxville to collect one gold and two silver medals.

Next, the crew faced stiff competition in the Head of the Chattahoochie in Atlanta, managing finishes of sixth, seventh, 11th and 15th in one of the largest fall regattas held in the South.

"I am really proud of the progress of both the varsity and novice," Iacovino said. "We see steady improvement in all our boats, and I think our fall performances are just an indication of what we can do in the spring."

Opportunities exist to watch both infant programs this spring. The Lady Vol softball team hosts four tournaments and six doubleheaders throughout March and April at the Lady Vol Fields in Knoxville's Tyson Park, including the regular season home opener on March 7 at 7 p.m. against Purdue. The crew team has a home regatta slated for April 13.