Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The final stretch

WHAT'S INSIDE: STUDY SPOTS FOR FINALS, "KINKY BOOTS" REVIEW, CANDACE PARKER'S RETIREMENT, NFL DRAFT RESULTS AND MORE.

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Abby Ann Ramsey

MANAGING EDITOR: Bella Hughes

COPY CHIEF: Emma Johnston

NEWS EDITOR: Eli Boldt

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Macy Roberts

SPORTS EDITOR: Caleb Jarreau

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR: Jack Church

DIGITAL PRODUCER: Karsten Hoglund

OPINIONS EDITOR: Calie Wrona

PHOTO EDITOR: Cole Moore

DESIGN EDITOR: Emma Fingeret

ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Sarah Portanka

PAGE DESIGNERS: Jibril Foronas, Chloe Black

COVER PHOTO: Emma Fingeret / The Daily Beacon

ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Cullen Askew

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES: Jacob Stromatt, Stewart Sutton

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION ARTISTS: Donatella Thomas, Ailin Lopez

CONTACTS

TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM OR SUBMIT A PRESS RELEASE, please email editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com

TO PLACE AN AD, please email admanager@utk.edu.

LETTERS POLICY: Letters to the Editor must be exclusive to The Daily Beacon and cannot have been submitted to or published by other media. Letters should not exceed 400 words and can be edited or shortened for space. Letters can also be edited for grammar and typographical errors, and Letters that contain excessive grammatical errors can be rejected for this reason. Anonymous Letters will not be published. Authors should include their full name, mailing address, city of residence, phone number and e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters submitted without this information will not be published. The preferred method to submit a Letter to the Editor is to email the Editor-in-Chief.

CORRECTIONS POLICY:It is The Daily Beacon’s policy to quickly correct any factual errors and clarify any potentially misleading information. Errors brought to our attention by readers or staff members will be corrected and printed on page two of our publication. To report an error please send as much information as possible about where and when the error occurred to editorinchief@ utdailybeacon.com.

The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee on Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters. The offices are located at 1345 Circle Park Drive, 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year or $100/semester. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon. com

Bella Hughes selected as 2024-25 Editor-in-Chief

ADAM DELAHOUSSAYE Staff Writer

On April 12, 2024, Bella Hughes was named the 2024-2025 Editor-in-Chief for The Daily Beacon. The position is selected annually by the Student Media Board, a group of students, faculty and alumni tasked with selecting editorial positions within the student media department at the University of Tennessee.

While leadership roles may not have been what Hughes initially envisioned for her college career, she was practically a member of the Beacon before she ever enrolled in a class. The Editor-in-Chief at her high school yearbook for three years, Hughes first caught wind of the Beacon the summer before she arrived on campus and almost immediately applied for the position of Design Editor. Three years later, she hasn’t looked back since. As she has spent more time pouring into the Beacon, the Beacon poured into her.

“Editor-in-Chief was never my main goal,” Hughes said. “I think a lot of people sometimes think that. Like I was talking to one of our old IT coordinators a couple of weeks ago, and he said, ‘I remember you in your freshman year, and I just knew you were going to be Editor-In-Chief.’ And I had no idea. But, I think the more time you spend at the Beacon, the more you want to get involved, and that’s just kind of what happened to me.”

While not a traditional writer, Hughes’ love for design and advertising has bled into what the Beacon has become known for in recent years. A junior studying advertising, she has always had a keen eye for pages that pop and headlines and articles that hook readers. Not only does she have a plethora of paper designs under her belt, she has authored numerous articles and even photographed a baseball game for the sports section during her tenure.

Hughes described the Beacon she knew her freshman years as a “hole in the wall joint no one really knew about” and is now proud to say that she has had a heavy hand in bolstering that reputation after the COVID-19 pandemic did a number on just about every student organization on campus. Humbly, she credits those around her for much of the paper’s recent successes.

“Throughout the past couple of years, more people have been getting involved. Great talent has been coming through these doors, and that’s really inspired me,” Hughes said. “Looking at my peers and the work they do and trying to see how I can compete with them and how I can meet their expectations of me.”

Even though it wasn’t initially part of the plan, Hughes says she’s most excited about getting to make strong editorial decisions for the paper

moving forward, whether it’s conducting interviews for next year’s section editors or designing the Beacon’s physical print papers that tackle issues from the weeks prior. A tangible capture of what’s happening on campus and in Knoxville has Hughes ready to finish her career in student media strong.

Though, there is always room to grow both for Hughes and the Beacon. While the paper has seen an influx both in writing and content, Hughes still feels that there are stories left to be told by the paper. Minority groups, new clubs and day-to-day happenings on campus are all areas that still hold some room for growth. Paired with Knoxville’s rich history and lively atmosphere, there’s a lot to be excited about for the upcoming year.

The upcoming year sees new faces in the Managing Editor position as well. In the fall semester, the role will be filled by Emma Johnston, a journalism and electronic media major with a minor in advertising and public relations. The spring of 2025 sees the transition of Shelby Wright into the role, a journalism and electronic media major with minors in applied music and theater. Both editors are excited about the new position and trust that good leadership will help them thrive.

“(Hughes’) perception, because she’s not specifically a journalism major, is a little outside of the box,” Wright said. “And so she definitely has this view of the outside looking in that journalism people might not have. She definitely helps bring us out of that box a little bit.”

Johnston, the Beacon’s current Copy Chief slated to graduate in the fall of 2024, has been with the Beacon since September of her freshman year. When asked why she chose to stay on board through her final semester, she cited reasons both personal and professional.

“I came up with some goals for my application that I got really passionate about and really want to implement,” Johnston said. “Also, I’m not ready to depart from all the people I know that will still be here next year. So, I’m excited to not have to part ways just yet.”

Hughes also cites great leadership as one of her reasons for high aspirations within the Beacon. Former Editor-In-Chief, Abby Ann Ramsey, a senior majoring in journalism, says that her former Managing Editor came in with a lot of qualities any good publication looks for. Creativity paired with a malleable problem-solving process makes for good leadership in any role, but in student journalism, it can mean the world.

“I think one thing that is really important in any role at the Beacon, but especially in the Editor-In-Chief role, is being an adaptable person,” Ramsey said. “And Bella is hand down one of the most adaptable people I’ve ever met. She is so quick when it comes to problem-solving, and at the Beacon, as with any daily news organization, we’re running into a lot of problems here and there. Hitting walls in reporting, we don’t have a cover for the paper, or a writer needs help with a story. There’s a million things that come up every single, day and Bella has really shown that she’s so quick on her feet.”

In her free time, Hughes enjoys going on road trips, reading, journaling, and yoga. Over the summer, she’ll be in New York doing an advertising internship with a fellowship focusing on multicultural students and making advertising more diverse. Hughes says she’s excited to take her summer experience and apply it back to the Beacon. Her start date for Editor-In-Chief is currently slated for May 8.

Bella Hughes will begin her run as Editor-in-Chief on May 8 where she plans to diversify content and find the hidden stories with the Knoxville community.

Courtesy of The Media Center

Internationally recognized scholar gives disability law presentation

JACK DEES Staff Writer

The Department of Philosophy hosted Jonas-Sébastien Beaudry’s talk, “Realizing the Right of Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities” at UT’s International House on Friday.

Beaudry holds a Canada Research Chair at McGill University and is a member of the Quebec Bar where he specializes in disability law.

During his presentation, Beaudry discussed the specifics of disabled peoples’ access to various legal facilities, both physical and procedural.

While analyzing the concept of equal access to physical infrastructures within the justice system, like police stations or canteens within prison facilities, Beaudry also evaluated the opportunities to participate in the administration of justice. Examples of this could be a disabled individual serving as a witness, expert, lawyer or jury member.

“Persons with intellectual disabilities may still suffer from prejudices on the part of various actors intervening at the earlier stages of the legal process, such as caretakers, witnesses, the police, legal representatives and actors involved at the later stages of the trial like the judge or the jurors,” Beaudry said.

On the topic of fair opportunities within the trial process, Beaudry delved into the highly contested threshold of “promising to tell the truth,” the Canadian courts’ requirement for an intellectually disabled or underage person to testify.

“There are different ways of understanding the requirement of being able to promise to tell the truth,” Beaudry said. “I have called them formalist, conceptualist and functionalist understandings of this requirement.”

In evaluating an intellectually disabled victim’s ability to recount the truth in a court of law, Beaudry discussed a case in which the Supreme Court of Canada only required the “formalist” benchmark of the victim verbally stating: “I promise to tell the truth,” rather than having to articulate a cohesive understanding of “truth” itself. This second, more stringent requirement embodies what Beaudry calls the “conceptualist approach.”

While this decision lowered the formalist standard deemed “too high” by the Supreme Court of Canada and many others, Beaudry pointed out a potential need for a middle ground, that requires a “functional” ability to recount the truth of an event.

“And I suggest that in between the conceptualist and the formalist view, the most

accurate and helpful approach would be a functionalist one,” Beaudry said. “The functionalist reading of the requirement to promise to tell the truth would require more from the witness than merely mouthing the word, ‘I promise to tell the truth.’ The witness may need to understand what the truth is, but only functionally so.”

UT Philosophy Department professor and director of Undergraduate Studies, Adam Cureton, was in attendance as well. Cureton also specializes in disability research.

“Dr. Beaudry highlighted the presumptive injustice of preventing certain citizens from participating fully in the legal process and attempted to specify a plausible standard of legal competence to give testimony that does not require someone to have full understanding of highly intellectualized concepts, such as the nature of promising,” Cureton said.

During the Q&A section, Beaudry warned against overly formalized or potentially biased approaches emerging from functionalist procedures.

“To be too demanding, or too formalistic, it’s easy for a functionalist approach to collapse into what I call a conceptualist or formalistic approach — if it’s not well done,” said Beaudry.

Anyone interested in legal concepts like these or who want to learn more about Beaudry can find his page on McGill University’s Faculty section.

“Dr. Beaudry is an internationally recognized expert in disability studies and disability law. He has an amazing ability to combine theoretical investigations with practical applications,” Cureton said. “Perhaps most remarkably, he manages to present and forcefully defend important, underexplored and often novel positions in a modest, respectful, collaborative and sophisticated manner.”

“There are different ways of understanding the requirement of being able to promise to tell the truth.”

JONAS-SÉBASTIEN BEAUDRY McGill University

The International House is a place on campus where international students can find resources and information as well as form relationships with other students. File / The Daily Beacon

7 study spots to consider visiting as finals season approaches

CUSACK

Staff Writer

As the semester winds down and finals rapidly approach, finding the perfect spot to study can make all the difference in your academic success and overall university experience. At the University of Tennessee and the surrounding Knoxville area, countless nooks and crannies can fit each student’s study style.

Whether you prefer the ambiance of Hodges Library, the bustling energy of an off-campus café or coffee shop, or the fresh air of an outdoor setting, areas both on and off campus offer something for everyone. Here are some recommendations as to where you can hit the books to help ensure you find your ideal study sanctuary.

K Brew on Kingston Pike

K Brew on Kingston Pike is the perfect place to escape campus for some peace and quiet while enjoying a coffee or one of their signature bagels or breakfast sandwiches. This location of K Brew not only has cushioned seats at each table for long durations of studying but also hammock swing seating, as well as high-top seating for studying with a window view.

French Market Crêperie

The French Market Crêperie located downtown is not only Knoxville’s first and only authentic French Crepe restaurant, but it is also a serene off-campus location to hit the books. You can enjoy sweet or savory crepes while sitting in their upstairs seating or main dining room seating or enjoying the spring weather on their outdoor seating patio. The French Market Crêperie is easily a top place in Knoxville to prepare for your finals.

College of Communication and Information Building patio

On the third floor of the Communications Building, there is a door that leads to another great study spot option on campus. The patio offers covered tables that overlook Neyland Stadium and the Tennessee River. It’s also hardly ever crowded, making it ideal for studying in the fresh air while enjoying the breathtaking views of campus. It’s the perfect place to prepare for your finals and appreciate the beauty that our campus has to offer.

HSS

lawn

The ambient sounds of nature coupled with the distant hum of campus activity make the HSS Lawn a top place to study on campus. Grab yourself a blanket or a hammock and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine — or the shade under a tree if you so choose — and immerse yourself in your studies as you prepare for finals.

available for use. These pods are modern and convenient spaces equipped with comfy furniture, plenty of outlets and lots of natural light, creating a welcoming atmosphere for productive work. The pods are also conveniently located close to classrooms — if you happen to have a final in one of those rooms, they are a great space for a last-minute review.

Student Union

The Student Union is a great place to study because of the variety of study areas to choose from. Whether you like quiet spots or prefer studying in a livelier atmosphere, the Student Union has something for everyone.

The Student Union has plenty of seating, tables and charging ports to maximize your studying potential. You can also grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants located inside while you’re here, making this one of the most convenient and best study spots on campus.

Your room or living space

Although this option is not for everyone, having a dedicated workspace that is not your bed is crucial if you prefer to study at home. You can choose to study in your living room, at a desk or even in common rooms if you live in a dorm.

These options can keep you alert and awake while studying and can provide access to all your resources, including Wi-Fi, snacks, outlets and even the bathroom. Studying in a place free from distractions is crucial to helping you prepare for your final exams.

Strong Hall

Inside Strong Hall, there are study pods

THOMAS

HSS lawn provides a space for students to study, relax or hang out with friends. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon

K Brew has several locations throughout Knoxville, including one on campus and one on Kingston Pike. File / The Daily Beacon

Thaw Out festival makes its first appearance in Knoxville on May 4

THOMAS CUSACK Staff Writer

From 1993-98, Thaw Out Music Festival officially marked the end of winter and celebrated the emergence of spring. Now, it will make its first-ever appearance in Knoxville at World’s Fair Park on Saturday, May 4, from 1-11 p.m.

President and CEO of Highland Destinations Blake Stephano — also a 2023 UT graduate — and his partners Davis Parker and Harrison Cogan are the visionaries behind bringing Thaw Out to Knoxville.

“Something I always looked at is that Auburn has the Rodeo, Texas A&M has Chilifest, Arkansas has Rowfest, and I always asked myself why doesn’t Tennessee have this staple event,” Stephano said. “Out of all these schools being in the home of the SEC, how do we not have that? So, our goal is to be that answer and to provide that staple event to the University of Tennessee and the city of Knoxville.”

This year’s Thaw Out festival will include a lineup ranging from popular artists such as Waka Flocka Flame, Snakehips, Twinsick, Xandra, Hippies and Cowboys to local artists such as Duck Experience, Nick Romano and Stone Cold.

“We really want to get involved in the

community and try to provide a spotlight for some of these local artists to showcase their hard work,” Stephano said.

Along with live music, Thaw Out will also include a mechanical bull, Vols Vintage Market, food trucks, a beer and seltzer garden, a silent disco, and local vendors.

“We have some really cool brands coming by. … We’re really just focused on providing and curating a special experience that is just incredibly unique to this event,” Stephano said. “We’ve put our blood, sweat and tears

into this thing, so we’re really just excited to make something absolutely wonderful happen in Knoxville.”

Stephano and his team believe that Thaw Out will be more unique than other festivals because of its involvement with the community.

“The community involvement in this is absolutely awesome. We’ve gotten a lot of love from a lot of great organizations in the area,” Stephano said. “Another cool thing is that we will be donating a portion of the

proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is something that I have done now for the past two years. The goal is to give back as much as possible and really just give back to the community.”

Thaw Out is one of the bigger events Knoxville has hosted in recent years, and the buzz around it is felt by many. Junior marketing student Malachai Dansinger spoke about what he is most excited about during the festival.

“I’m excited for the overall environment because this is the first legit music festival that Knoxville has seen at least since my time here as a student, so I’m really excited to experience it and just to see what it looks like,” Dansinger said.

Dansinger also shared what he believes will make Thaw Out unique compared to other festivals he’s attended previously.

“I think a lot of the upside of Knoxville is the people here and how much they love the city,” Dansinger said. “It could have been Thaw Out or any sort of big-scale music event and people were going to make the most out of it and make it a successful event.”

Tickets to Thaw Out are still available through Blocktickets, with general admissions tickets sold for $35 and Happy Dad VIP tickets for $65.06.

If you are a fan of music, festivals and engaging with the local community, consider attending Thaw Out on May 4.

Crafty Bastard Brewery vintage market spotlights local business owners, sustainable fashion

(Luke) had been collecting for a few years.”

The brothers decided to start a vintage store after Luke’s personal collection of vintage clothing had grown almost to the size of a small store.

Crafty Bastard Brewery hosted the Emory Place Night Market on Friday, April 26, featuring around 20 vendors offering a variety of vintage clothing and jewelry. Also hosted in March, the vintage market is becoming one of many monthly traditions for the brewery, which hosts a vibrant variety of events every weekend.

During the event, attendees of the vintage market expressed an appreciation for supporting sustainable and locally owned businesses.

“I try to just shop sustainably and support local vendors, small businesses and things like that,” said Brock McPherson, an attendee sporting an off-white vintage UT shirt. McPherson also attributed his attendance to his love of secondhand Dallas Cowboys and Volunteers items.

Also in attendance, brothers Luke and Eli Jenkins recently started the traveling store, Mad Dog Vintage.

“We just started this year,” Eli Jenkins said. “We came to our first one probably half a year ago, but we just really got into it.

“We’ve been thrifting for around like four or five years, and we’ve always been coming to these events when we were younger,” Luke said. “And then we had the idea — why not try to do it ourselves? And it ended up going pretty well.”

Luke also mentioned his frequent patronage of the other booths at markets like these. In exchanging with one another, vintage clothing sellers can bolster their own collections while making connections within their community.

“It’s just fun to come to,” Luke said. “Everybody’s really nice here. Like I said, the community is the biggest part of it. They’re awesome. And the connections that you can find here is better than anything you can find anywhere else because you can sell clothes and also make connections to find more afterward, so it’s pretty cool.”

Another up-and-coming business, Old World Wonders, started up in October of 2023. Specializing in vintage and pre-existing UT merchandise, their inventory consists largely of Pat Summitt and Lady Vols-

themed items.

In addition to providing an accessible way for locals to work for themselves, vintage markets like these are part of the increasingly prevalent sustainable fashion movement. Many of the vendors at the market have started selling in recent years, with more people than ever selling vintage items as their full-time jobs.

Located on the northern edge of downtown Knoxville near the Old City, Emory Place is a historic district registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Previously home to sites like Knoxville High School from 1910 to 1951, the area has recently been revamped with a renaissance of arts and food.

In addition to Crafty Bastard Brewery, Emory Place contains the Lilienthal Gallery and Pivot Point Fine Art Galleries. It also includes a location for French Fried Vintage, with restaurants like A Dopo Pizza right around the corner. Free parking for the district is available at 298 E. Jackson Ave under the interstate overpass.

Crafty Bastard also hosts First Friday at Emory Place in collaboration with French Fried Vintage and several other vendors. For more information on any of these events, check out the Crafty Brewery Facebook page.

JACK DEES Staff Writer

Thaw Out will take place Saturday, May 4, 2024, in World’s Fair Park. Courtesy of Thaw Out

Crafty Bastard Brewery hosted the Emory Place Night Market on Friday, April 26, featuring stores like Mad Dog Vintage. Jack Dees / The Daily Beacon

Luca Guadagnino’s tennis love triangle drama is a hit of psychosexual ecstasy

Zendaya’s character in “Challengers,” Tashi Duncan, describes tennis as “not a sport, but a relationship.” This couldn’t be any more true, as “Challengers” delivers one of the sweatiest, erotic and pulsating dramas of the year.

The film — so emotionally charged by its love triangle, beads of sweat dripping on the camera lens and heart-pumping score from Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor — gives tennis a whole new perspective. Each thrust of the racket and rally on the court feels like a release of psychosexual ecstasy coming from Justin Kuritzkes’ script.

The stage becomes set in New Rochelle, New York, where a seemingly cheerless local U.S. Open qualifier manages to not only deliver one of the most intense tennis matches innocent spectators have ever seen, but for our three characters, it becomes a conclusion to a nearly 13-year saga of lust, jealousy and egos.

This match is much more than a confidence booster for the hopeful Grand Slam champion Art Donaldson, played by Mike Faist. Instead, it’s a pent-up, bi-curious feeling of revenge.

The start of “Challengers” is a simple one — a couple of hot-shot teenage tennis players that coin the deeply corny name “Fire and Ice” for their dynamic duo play, as performed by Josh O’Connor and Faist. The two are enamored by the play and grace of Tashi Duncan, the world’s top female amateur tennis player. They meet at an Adidas sponsorship party which leads to a conversation by the beach, then a dangerously horny night in a dingy Flushings, New York, hotel room.

In astoundingly juvenile fashion, a match between our two characters Art Donaldson and Patrick Zweig will decide who gets to receive Tashi Duncan’s phone number. Ultimately, Patrick wins, but by going on the pro tour, he ends up in an estranged relationship with Tashi. This leads to a welcomed betrayal between Art and Patrick, as they seem to be excited by the fact that they both want something out of Tashi.

The film turns out to be not about a glowing tennis rivalry between a couple of old friends who liked the same girl, but it’s about the passion with which each character connects the sport to their lives. From that first meeting in a hotel room to nearly 13 years later when their paths cross at a qualifier, they’ve always been feeding off each other with mutual intimacy.

“Challengers” can be a jarring film at times due to the constant flashbacks

from our current state match at the New Rochelle qualifier named after a local tire store, yet it doesn’t manage to let up a second of the contagious energy supported by the pounding and addicting score from Ross and Reznor. It’s a score that you never want to end and will be constantly associated with the sweaty images of Zendaya, O’Connor and Faist.

The most impressive aspect of “Challengers” is not the script nor the pumping score. It’s the achievement of director Luca Guadagnino of creating the most erotic moments in the film from something far from conventionally sexual. Whether it’s our final match at New Rochelle or Faist and O’Connor sharing the ends of a churro in intimate homoerotic close-ups, for a film with no grand orgasmic release, these moments feel X-rated. The glistening bodies of the directors’ young talent, closeups, POVs and more add up to a burst of built-up gasps by the final shot.

Whether it’s her ability to go from the drug-fueled escape of a Los Angeles high school on Euphoria to the vast deserts of the planet Arrakis in the world of Dune, Zendaya’s performance in “Challengers” is a landmark in her early yet brilliant ca-

reer. There’s nothing to suggest that Tashi Duncan isn’t the puppet master for her “little white boys” as she claims in the film. Zendaya’s raw sexuality and screen presence are enough to have anybody in New Rochelle or a local multiplex squirming in their seats.

“Challengers” makes for a noteworthy dissection of the athletes we idolize daily while connecting their personal lives with their play on the court. Tennis may have been the best choice for a film like “Challengers.” The energy that is shared between only two players during a match is only between them, not a team or coach — it’s just the pair of athletes dueling it out on the court. It goes to show that sports can’t be fueled by the artificial hype that fans gain for a match, yet it’s the unthinkable but organic possibility of an off-court drama fueling these performers.

“Challengers” isn’t a story of resilience and adversity for our tennis players on the court. Tashi Duncan suffers a catastrophic knee injury that silently ends her career, Art Donaldson is serving as a catalyst for Tashi’s void of victory that she will never be able to achieve again, and Patrick Zweig becomes a player needing match-to-

match pay and a Tinder hookup for a place to stay that night instead of his old Honda SUV.

The story for each of our characters will always be connected in this confusing yet sexy love triangle, with Tashi being the person that Art and Patrick find joy in fighting over. It doesn’t matter that Art married Tashi, nor does it matter that Patrick has been estranged from the pair for quite some time — they’ll remain in each other’s lives forever. The trio of performers manage to cave into their own vulnerability while dying of thirst for the attention of each other throughout the 131-minute runtime.

It’s safe to say that Guadagnino knows how to showcase the young, hot talent of Gen Z’s fancam favorites. Coming off culturally embraced films such as “Call Me by Your Name” and “Bones and All,” the 52-year-old Italian filmmaker is a master at projecting the erotic feelings of his cast without a mention of sex. It is the most unbridled portrait of jealousy in his filmography and puts him in the trust of the social media generation.

As for pickleball, you had a good run.

WYATT ALLISON Contributor

Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” stars Mike Faist, Zendaya and Josh O’Connor. Courtesy of IMDb

Review:

Clarence Brown Theatre’s

‘Kinky Boots’ dazzles with catchy numbers

WYATT ALLISON

Contributor

“Kinky Boots,” much like its title and literal boot, is an embodiment of a strong ensemble and preaches an uplifting message of gender role acceptance.

The Tony Award-winning musical written by Geoff Deane and Tom Firth was adapted from mostly true events and the 2005 British film of the same name. “Kinky Boots” follows the story of Charlie Price, the son of a storied shoe salesman who suddenly passes away, giving Charlie sole inheritance of the shoe factory his father and three generations before him built.

Charlie, played by Wes Williams, then forms an unlikely relationship with a cabaret performer and drag queen named Lola, masterfully portrayed by Omari Collins. Charlie realizes that his father’s shoe business is going into the ground and has become desperate for an idea to keep the business afloat. Charlie becomes transfixed with the idea of delivering to a niche market and realizes that creating sexy, stylish boots for drag queens may be his ticket to success.

The score of “Kinky Boots” was composed by none other than ‘80s pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Her music manages to electrify not only the ensemble cast but also the audience, and the finale number “Raise You Up” does just that.

The dynamic between Charlie and Lola is a touching aspect of the musical. Both of these characters share similar feelings about their fathers, as the affecting duet “Not My Father’s Son” makes them realize they are much more alike than presumed.

While the music and performances of “Kinky Boots” are undeniably fashionable, it’s the costume design and production design that bring the production to fruition. The said “Kinky Boots” is dazzling with emotion and brings out the best in each character, especially in the last musical number.

The music from Lauper is perfect for a production like “Kinky Boots,” as her famed kinetic quirky energy brings out the eccentricity on stage. Her lyrics, both idiosyncratic and touching, fit the mold for this ultimately groundbreaking message of acceptance. Combined with these lyrics and bravura choreography, it makes for musical numbers such as “Sex Is in the Heel” to truly soar beyond your expectations.

With a run time of approximately 150 minutes with an intermission, “Kinky Boots” never lets off the gas pedal. Going into this mostly blind with only a vague understanding of the premise, I was blown away by the attention to detail that everyone brings to this production.

The message of “Kinky Boots” may be a simple understanding of accepting people for who they are, but the high energy and comedic undertones will have you brought to your feet by the end of the show. Each member of the cast bounces off one another beautifully to create humorous and touching moments throughout the entirety of the run time.

All in all, “Kinky Boots” managed to bring me to my feet and clap along with the cast as their final musical number brought the house down with a collective moment of understanding and acceptance.

“Kinky Boots” has shows running through May 5, with tickets priced at $5 for UT students. For specific showtimes, visit the CBT website for more information.

Weekly Crossword by Margie E. Burke

The ensemble cast of “Kinky Boots” at the Clarence Brown Theatre stars Omari Collins as Lola and Wes Williams as Charlie. Courtesy of Le Anna Jacobson

East Tennessee Maverick: Why the U.S. should care about the Myanmar Civil War

Did you know that there has been a civil war raging in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar, also known as Burma, since 2021?

Despite around-the-clock coverage of global events like the Russo–Ukrainian War and the Israel–Hamas War, the internal struggle in Myanmar has not received the same kind of treatment. However, the global community, including the United States, should care deeply about Burmese citizens. This fight is between democracy and authoritarianism — a fight to establish a better future for an entire young generation.

From 1962 until the 2010s, Myanmar was under the rule of a brutal military junta. During the last decade, the country began a slow but meaningful transition to a representative democracy. In 2015, Aung San Suu Kyi was elected prime minister and is credited with helping move the country away from military rule and towards a true republic.

Unfortunately, the military leaders were never satisfied with this new power-sharing agreement. In the 2020 national legislature elections, the military’s party lost even more seats to Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. Not content with further democratization, the military launched a coup d’état in February 2021. Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders got arrested, and the military formed a new vicious junta under General Min Aung Hlaing.

There were immediate widespread, peaceful protests by everyday citizens against the new authoritarian regime. The military soon forcefully cracked down against its own unarmed people, with thousands of protesters and political prisoners killed. Following the repression of peaceful demonstrations, democratic leaders and many of Myanmar’s young adults declared a revolution to fight for their freedoms and liberties.

Now, the rebels are winning. In late 2023 and early 2024, the numerous anti-junta forces won victory after victory, now controlling about half of the country. The resistance groups, fueled by thousands and thousands of idealistic college-age men and women, are sacrificing their lives to establish their dream of a federal democracy in Myanmar.

But there are still a lot of problems. Many diverse rebel groups, many allied with one another, lack a united leadership structure. The National Unity Government, made up of lawmakers ousted by the 2021 coup, has the best political claim but needs internal and international recognition. While the Bamar ethnic majority is finally unifying with the

border regions’ various ethnic minorities — something not seen in modern Myanmar’s history — ethnic tensions persist. The late 2010 Rohingya genocide, perpetuated by the military but assisted by Suu Kyi and her government’s inaction, is still fresh in many people’s minds.

One of the most significant problems is that a rebel democratic victory is not certain. The junta’s forces are still heavily armed, well organized and control many major cities. While the rebel groups have no shortage of weapons, the junta outguns them in terms of aircraft and artillery. Even if the junta was completely overthrown, there’s no promise that the diverse rebel and ethnic groups would be able to form a united, nevertheless democratic, government.

This is where the international community and the U.S. come in. The young generation of Myanmar is fighting for their freedom to access a democratic and peaceful future. They are desperate for support. They beg that the nations of the world turn some of their attention towards their struggle for a federal democracy.

While the Biden administration has stood firmly against the junta’s power grab since its coup in 2021, they have still not recognized the National Unity Government as the

rightful leader of Myanmar. One of the biggest steps the U.S. can take to help free the Burmese people is to recognize and support the NUG and incentivize all the other rebel groups to rally under its political leadership.

The U.S. must also provide funding and assistance to the NUG and its allied rebel forces to help them form a stable structure for federal democracy. If the democratic revolutionaries win this civil war, the last thing we want is another military strongman to swoop into power or to have ethnic minorities split into small warring states. The U.S. must teach the rebel groups how to form a multiethnic democracy with strong minority protections.

The U.S. must also assist the democratic rebels in their military needs. Helping these former college students and young professionals liberate themselves from despotic authoritarianism is a goal noble enough to send arms and ammunition. And for the less idealistic Americans out there, what’s bad about helping create another strong ally in the Indo-Pacific region?

Finally, the United Nations and the U.S. must alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Burmese people. The junta’s forces have committed many well-documented atrocities against innocent civilians. The military

lays mines throughout the countryside, an act that will kill and maim civilians for decades to come. The U.N. and U.S. must take tangible actions to condemn the military junta and provide aid for Burmese civilians. It is inspiring to see an entire generation of young adults stand up to a wicked and unjust dictatorship. To many, it might seem immoral to call for the U.S. to supply military aid to these rebels fighting for freedom. But remember, the young men and women of Myanmar protested peacefully for months until the violence and killings against them became too much to bear.

The only way to protect innocent civilians and secure a free and democratic future for Myanmar is by removing the military junta.

WALKER KINSLER Columnist

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

Walker Kinsler is a junior at UT this year studying political science and history. He can be reached at wkinsler@vols.utk.edu.

Columnist Walker Kinsler writes, “It is inspiring to see an entire generation of young adults stand up to a wicked and unjust dictatorship.” Calie Wrona / The Daily Beacon

Between Bookends: Sylvia Beach’s journey to literary immortality

SADIE SELF Columnist

In the last few weeks, I was assigned a speech in one of my classes that required me to choose a topic, research it and present my findings to my peers.

Being a book lover, I chose to talk about the importance of shopping at independent bookstores.

As I began research, helplessly scrolling through Google Scholar for credible sources on my topic, I was surprised to come across the name Sylvia Beach.

Immediately, I was taken back to last summer when I spent a week in a cabin with my family. As expected, I brought a few books along to keep me busy, one of which centered around the story of Beach’s legacy — “Shakespeare and Company.”

“The Paris Bookseller” is a novel by Kerri Maher that tells the real-life story of Beach, a woman who started her own bookstore abroad.

While Maher’s dutiful research ties Beach’s story together gracefully, the nature of the novel still allows her to take some artistic liberties. That said, “The Paris Bookseller” is a wonderful read for anyone interested in the history of books or a beautifully told story.

The novel begins with an introduction to a young Beach, an American visiting Paris, France, with her family.

While her mother and sister seem to know their place in Paris, Beach struggles to find her Parisian purpose. Her shy and disconnected nature holds her back from social events. These feelings were partially spurred on by Beach be-

ing a lesbian, although she would not have used that exact word then.

Eventually, Beach meets some like-minded people in the world of literature. She begins to join discussions and make herself more known within the community.

After making these connections, Beach meets one of the most important characters in her story — Adrienne Monnier.

Monnier owned the bookstore La Maison des Amis des Livres, which translates to The House of the Friends of Books in English.

Beach and Monnier became fast friends — perhaps something more — as Beach continued to visit the shop to see her new friends.

Soon enough, Beach began to take inspiration from Monnier and dreamt of opening her own bookstore.

As the first ideas for her bookstore formed, Beach played with the idea of basing her shop in New York. She wanted to create a unique space where French literature lived alongside English narratives.

However, rising rent prices pushed Beach away from New York and kept her in Paris despite her family returning to the United States.

Finally, after much searching and debating, Shakespeare and Co. was established in 1919 at 8 rue Dupuytren.

Excited for new beginnings, Beach began to stock her new store, but there was a twist. Although the store was in Paris, Shakespeare and Co. sold books printed in English.

Beach’s passion for literature drew a few staple customers to her shop. Ezra Pound, James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot and more stopped by Shakespeare and Co., whether for the books, the company or the discussion.

Her friendship with Joyce was perhaps the strongest of them all. He visited the shop often and confided in Beach about his struggles with

his sight and his family.

Their complex relationship and Beach’s helpful personality led to an even closer friendship, even though it put a lot on her plate.

At one point in time, Beach turned into Joyce’s publisher. When U.S. laws banned Joyce’s novel “Ulysses,” Beach stepped in to help publish it.

The book was banned for crude and sexual scenes, but Beach understood its literary importance, even if the U.S. government disagreed. So, she developed her own publishing process and distributed copies across continents.

When reading “The Paris Bookseller,” I felt that Beach’s determination to publish “Ulysses” proved her love and passion for literature and showed tenacity regarding her friends.

If anything, it was inspiring.

However, Beach did not go without hardships.

For one, the Great Depression hit Paris hard, and book sales showed it. Beach tried to keep the shop open during World War II despite volunteering her time and skills to help along the sidelines.

These things, plus dealing with familial loss, breakups and other personal issues, meant that this bookseller had to give her all to keep the shop she loved.

Beach ultimately closed the shop in 1941 but gave it an immortal life in her memoir “Shake-

speare and Company.”

Her work was further honored when George Whitman opened his own English-language shop in 1951, later renaming it Shakespeare and Co. in 1964. The new Shakespeare and Co. is still a fixture in Paris today, a checkpoint on many tourist itineraries.

While I hope my perspective on “The Paris Bookseller” will encourage you to read up on the more detailed facets of Beach’s story, I don’t think I could truly capture the importance of her work in the literary world.

As I gave my speech on independent bookstores, I did my best to stress the impact of bookshops like Shakespeare and Co.

Literature would not be the same without Beach. Although the original Shakespeare and Co. may not have lasted, the impact that Beach left was more than enough to make a difference.

at sself7@vols. utk.edu.

Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.

Sadie Self is a freshman at UT this year studying journalism and media. She can be reached

While discussing Sylvia Beach’s first ideas, columnist Sadie Self writes, “She wanted to create a unique space where French literature lived alongside English narratives.” Calie Wrona / The Daily Beacon

Pitching earns praise for Tennessee baseball after sweep over Missouri

A team that leads the nation in home runs at the plate put together its best pitching performance in a series.

Tennessee baseball held Missouri to five total runs over the weekend series. That mark is a season low for runs allowed in a threegame set for the Vols.

“I think more than anything just for whatever reason, it wasn’t a weekend where a lot of runs were going to be scored,” head coach Tony Vitello said. “But our guys did what they needed to do to win, and a lot of it had to do with the pitchers doing their deal.”

Over the weekend, longevity proved to be the key. Thursday night showed AJ Causey pitch six innings of one-run baseball, while Friday put ace Drew Beam in 7.1 innings of two-run baseball.

Saturday featured more reserves, though Zander Sechrist still managed four innings. Nate Snead, Aaron Combs and Kirby Connell finished the job out of the bullpen.

“They’re well coached,” Vitello said. “I think the depth is expanding.”

Though overlooked by the offensive production, Tennessee’s pitching staff entered the weekend with a top-12 earned run average in the nation sitting at 3.88. After the weekend, the team ERA dropped to 3.79 — which would have ranked seventh nationally coming into the weekend.

“They just throw strikes and get the job done,” shortstop Dean Curley said. “Defense behind them works hard, and when they throw strikes, good things happen.”

Connell was featured in two of the three games, allowing two hits in 3.2 innings pitched. In Saturday’s game, the lefty delivered his third save of the season.

“Went out there and threw strikes and let the defense play behind us,” Connell said. “For us, it was just go out there and do what we do and make them kind of get themselves out.”

However, much of the pitching success can also be attributed to the defense played behind the mound.

“The defense has done a great job behind us,” Connell said. “Just knowing that we have a defense behind us like that.”

Rolodex expanding

The Rolodex continues to get deeper.

In Saturday’s 3-2 win over Missouri, the Tennessee offense added a new way to win, showcasing an effective small ball outing.

The Vols trailed by a run after the opening frame, but the deficit was quickly erased. The offense was able to plate three runs on four singles, straying away from the powerful outlook established this season.

Through two innings of play, Vol hitters combined 6-for-11 at the plate while hitting 4-for-9 with runners on base. None of the hits went for extra bases.

The third through seventh innings slowed production, leaving Tennessee hitless at the plate. It was not until the eighth inning when the Vols put another hit on the board with a Kavares Tears double. The hit was Tennessee’s first and only extra-base hit of the day.

“It’s really good for the team,” Connell said. “To get guys like Dean (Curley) and some of the younger guys get to realize what a Super Regional game is like. I think it really helps them.”

Tennessee failed to record a home run in two-of-three games, marking the fourth game this season without a homer and the first time this season going back-to-back games without one.

“Crucial,” Vitello said about adding new ways to win. “Because what’s coming ahead as things progress, the stakes get a little higher. So I think the fact that we’ve now played in a bunch of different games, our guys can kind of do that as we put together our best recipe.”

Tennessee gets a midweek in-state meeting with Lipscomb on Tuesday.

TREVOR MCGEE

Contributor

Kirby Connell (35) throws a pitch during a game against Missouri at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Saturday, April 27, 2024. Parker Phegley / The Daily Beacon

Head coach Tony Vitello takes the field for a game against Missouri at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Thursday, April 25, 2024. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon

Where former Vols landed following the 2024 NFL Draft

CALEB JARREAU

Sports Editor

Three former Tennessee football players heard their names called in the 2024 NFL Draft. A slew of other former Vols signed as undrafted free agents.

Here’s a look at where former Vols landed following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jaylen Wright — Miami Dolphins (No. 120)

Jaylen Wright heard his name called in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, joining the explosive offense of the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins won the AFC East in 2024 after finishing the year 11-6 overall.

Wright was one of the top running backs in FBS football last season — finishing No. 1 of eligible running backs in yards per game with 7.4. He picked up 1,013 during his final season as a Vol.

Questions were raised about whether Wright could run against a loaded box or not since he didn’t have to do it often at Tennessee. Those concerns likely contributed to his slide into Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

Joe Milton III — New England Patriots (No. 193)

Former Tennessee gunslinger was selected No. 193 overall to the New England Patriots. Milton’s draft makes it back-to-back years where Tennessee has had a signal caller taken in the NFL Draft.

Milton went around the pick he was projected heading into the draft. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and showcased his arm talent through the draft process.

In his final season at Tennessee, Milton threw for 2,813 yards while completing 64.7% of his passes. Milton completed just 38.6% of his passes beyond 10 yards, though, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot-5 and 235-pound quarterback threw for 32 touchdowns and five interceptions over his three seasons in Knoxville.

Kamal Hadden — Kansas City Chiefs (No. 211)

Defensive back Kamal Hadden heard his name called in the sixth round as well when the Chiefs selected him with the No. 211 overall pick. Hadden made a big turnaround during his time at Tennessee before his senior season was cut short due to a shoulder injury.

Hadden led the Vols with eight pass breakups and three interceptions after playing seven games before being injured.

The 6-foot-1, 196-pound backer brings good size and agility to the NFL.

McCallan Castles — Philadelphia Eagles

Tight

Philadelphia

on Saturday. He picked up 283 yards and five touchdowns during his lone season at Tennessee. He averaged 12.3 yards per catch.

Castles’ college journey began at California before transferring to UC Davis. After two years at UC Davis, Castles transferred to Tennessee in hopes of getting SEC film. The gamble paid off, and it resulted in an NFL contract.

Ramel Keyton — Las Vegas Raiders

Wide receiver Ramel Keyton signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on Saturday.

Keyton saw an uptick in his production during his senior and fifth-year senior seasons.

The 6-foot-3 and 197-pound receiver saw his best season come during his last as a Vol.

Keyton put up 642 yards on 35 catches as a fifth-year senior. He ended his career with 1,456 yards on 86 receptions to go with 11 career touchdowns.

Jacob Warren — New England Patriots

Tight end Jacob Warren will join Milton in New England after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Patriots.

During his final season at Tennessee, the Farragut product caught 16 passes for 191 yards and four touchdowns. Warren caught 53 passes for 607 yards and eight touchdowns over his career.

Dee Williams — Seattle Seahawks

Utility man Dee Williams signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on Saturday.

Williams, an explosive kick returner, will

likely find an opportunity thanks to the new kickoff rules in the NFL. During his two seasons at Tennessee, Williams returned 35 punts for 540 yards. His straight-line speed and quickness helped him return two for touchdowns.

Before transferring to Tennessee, Williams spent two seasons at East Central Community College in Mississippi. He joined the Vols as a defensive back.

Jaylen McCollough — Los Angeles Rams

Defensive back Jaylen McCollough signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rams on Saturday.

McCollough played 54 games at Tennessee during his five seasons, becoming a staple in the secondary. He finished his career with 241 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions. During his final season as a Vol, McCollough picked up three interceptions, including a pick-six, and 58 total tackles.

Jeremiah Crawford — Carolina Panthers

Offensive lineman Jeremiah Crawford signed as an undrafted free agent with the Panthers. He made 13 starts and played in 30 games for Tennessee. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman began his career at Butler Community College in Kansas.

Gabe Jeudy-Lally — Tennessee Titans

Defensive back Gabe Jeudy-Lally will make the short trip to Nashville after he signed an undrafted free-agent deal with the Titans.

Jeudy-Lally transferred to Tennessee after stints with BYU and Vanderbilt, and he played

an important role in the Vols’ secondary. He put up 41 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack during his 13-game career in Knoxville.

Aaron Beasley — Seattle Seahawks

Linebacker Aaron Beasley signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. Beasley racked up 238 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks during his five-year career at Tennessee. He was a leader for Tennessee’s defense and paced the unit during the 2022 season.

Jabari Small — Tennessee Titans

Running back Jabari Small signed with the Tennessee Titans on Monday. The 5-foot-11, 213-pound picked up 475 yards his senior season on 95 carries. He finished his career with 2,122 yards on 45 carries while being a consistent piece of the running back rotation.

end McCallan Castles signed with the

Eagles as an undrafted free agent

Aaron Beasley runs the 40 yard dash Pro Day at Anderson Training Center. Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Parker Phegley / The Daily Beacon

Former Lady Vol, WNBA great Candace Parker announces retirement from basketball

CALEB JARREAU

Sports Editor

Former Lady Vols basketball star Candace Parker announced she will be retiring from basketball. The two-time NCAA National Champion and three-time WNBA Champion announced her decision via Instagram.

“I’m retiring,” Parker wrote in her post. “I promised I’d never cheat the game & that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time. My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.”

Parker is one of the greatest women’s basketball players to come through Tennessee, bringing the Lady Vols back-toback national championships in 2007-08 under head coach Pat Summitt. Parker also owns a pair of Olympic gold medals and two WNBA MVP awards over her historic 16-year professional career.

During her final season at Tennessee, Parker averaged 21.3 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game and 2.3 steals per game. She jumped straight into the WNBA that summer and earned Rookie of the Year.

“I always wanted to walk off the court with no parade or tour, just privately with the ones I love,” Parker wrote in her post. “What now was to be my last game, I

walked off the court with my daughter. I ended the journey just as I started it, with her.

“This offseason hasn’t been fun on a foot that isn’t cooperating. It’s no fun playing in pain (10 surgeries in my career) it’s no fun knowing what you could do, if only…it’s no fun hearing ‘she isn’t the

same’ when I know why, it’s no fun accepting the fact you need surgery AGAIN.“

Parker’s journey at Tennessee did not start off on the right foot. The 6-foot-4 scorer, who went on to become regarded as one of the best WNBA players in history, redshirted her first season as a Lady Vol. She picked up quickly after that.

Parker became the first woman to dunk in a game and helped lead Tennessee to 2006 SEC Tournament Championship. In 2007 and 2008, Parker was named the Collegiate Female John R. Wooden Player of the Year and went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft.

“No matter how you prepare for it, you won’t be ready for the gap it leaves in your soul,” Parker wrote in her retirement post. “Forgive me as I mourn a bit, but I’ll be back loving the game differently in a while.”

Parker retires in a familiar position: a champion. She was a member of the Las Vegas Aces during the 2023 season, earning a ring despite being sidelined with injury.

Based on her post, Parker is now entering the business realm of sport while focusing on family.

“In the mean time, know IM A BUSINESS, man, not a businessman,” Parker wrote. “This is the beginning…I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, dominoes (sorry babe it’s going to get more real) with the same intensity & focus I did basketball.

“My mission in life, like Pat Summitt always said, is to ‘chase people and passions and you will never fail.’ Being a wife & mom still remains priority #1 & I’ve learned that time flies, so I plan to enjoy my family to the fullest!”

Tennessee men’s, women’s tennis to host NCAA Regionals

coach Alison Ojeda said in a university release. “Our squad has worked really hard and they have earned the opportunity to compete at home on Rocky Top!”

Tennessee men’s and women’s tennis are set to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Team Championship at Barksdale Stadium, announced on Monday. The tournament begins Friday for the men’s team, while the women’s team hits the court Saturday. Here’s a look at where the Vols and Lady Vols landed in the NCAA postseason bracket.

Lady Vols (18-7, 9-4 SEC)

The Lady Vols are a No. 16 seed, hosting a home regional with No. 21 Duke (15-9), No. 63 ETSU (17-7) and Murray State (17-5). Tennessee’s first matchup is against the Racers, which begins Saturday, May 4, at 1 p.m. ET. The final match of the women’s NCAA Regional will be Sunday at 1 p.m. ET between the winner over Duke vs. ETSU and the winner of Tennessee vs. Murray State.

“Our team is excited to be hosting the first two rounds of the tournament again,” head

It is the fourth time the Tennessee women’s team has hosted in back-to-back years. All matches are scheduled to be played outdoors with gates opening an hour before each match.

Vols

(22-6, 10-2 SEC)

The Vols earned the No. 7 overall seed. It is the fourth consecutive season in which Tennessee is a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Vols’ regional includes ETSU (13-9), North Carolina (14-9) and Memphis (18-6).

Tennessee begins its run with a matchup against ETSU on Friday, May 3, at 1 p.m. ET. The second round between the winners of ETSU vs. Tennessee and North Carolina vs. Memphis on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

It is Tennessee’s 15th time hosting and the sixth consecutive season surpassing the 20win mark for full seasons.

STAFF REPORT

“Lady Vol for life” Candace Parker is recognized during a basketball game against the University of South Carolina at Food City Center. Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon

Catherine Aulia awaits a serve during a match against Mississippi State at Barksdale Stadium. Sunday, April 7, 2024. Elliot Walker / Contributor