The Lady Vols opened the 2026-27 season with a 109-62 win over a first-time opponent in Duquesne, but the head coaches – Kim Caldwell for Tennessee and Dan Burt for the Dukes – have known each other for years.

“Coach Burt has been a family friend of ours for a really long time and helped me a lot in my career,” said Caldwell, whose post-game presser can be watched HERE. “And I appreciate them coming. They gave us a really, really good punch there in the first quarter. And I was proud of how our team responded. We needed that.

“I needed to see how our team would react and respond when hit with a little bit of adversity, and the other team went on a run. We wish them the best of luck, and I think they’re going to do very well in the A10.”

Duquesne, which is located in Pittsburgh, plays in the Atlantic 10 and stayed within two to six points of Tennessee in the first quarter.

Kaylene Smikle led Tennessee, 1-0, with 31 points, while Gabby Minus and Rylie Theuerkauf notched 13 points each, Jada Eads tallied 12 points, and Naomi White and Aaliyah Moore added 11 points.

Carla Viegas, who transferred from Pitt, led Duquesne, 0-1, with 24 points and seven made three-pointers, while Nadia Moore notched 16 points.

Smikle scored 23 points in the first half in just 12 minutes, a clinic in efficiency.

“I don’t know if it’s a record, but it is pretty impressive,” Caldwell said. “She has been locked in from the moment I saw her today. She’s been happy. She’s been full of joy. She had a great shoot-around. She played very hard in shoot-around. She’s had a very long time since she’s played in a basketball game. To be able to see that joy in her today was really special for me. And I hope that she had fun in the game.”

Smikle transferred to Tennessee from Maryland for her final season of college eligibility and, before Monday in Knoxville, last played in a regular season game in early December 2025 after persistent pain led to season-ending knee surgery.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to come to Knoxville, Tennessee, and play really in one of the very, very best environments, and I think it’s the best fan base in women’s college basketball,” said Burt, whose post-game presser can be watched HERE. “The experience has been obviously tough tonight, but we have been treated very well.

“I think the world of Kim, and they have a very good basketball team, and it’s a very good system. She’s got them playing very, very well early.”

Tennessee will play its second game of the season on the road in Baltimore for a matchup this Thursday, Nov. 5, with Coppin State at 7 p.m. ET at the on-campus Physical Education Complex Arena. The matchup will be livestreamed on the MEAC Network.

SOCCER

Tennessee will begin the search for a new soccer coach after making the decision to part ways with Joe Kirt on Monday.

“Joe is a tremendous person whose dedication and passion have left a lasting impact on Tennessee soccer, both during his years as an assistant and as our head coach,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White said. “This decision was not made lightly, and it in no way reflects on Joe’s character or his unwavering commitment to our student-athletes.

“We are deeply appreciative of his leadership, his integrity, and the positive influence he’s had on everyone involved with our program. We will always be grateful for Joe’s service and wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

After entering the top 10 in the polls in September, the Lady Vols struggled offensively in the SEC and won just two conference games with five losses and three ties. Tennessee missed the cutoff for the SEC tourney this month – the top 12 teams participate – and got nudged out by LSU after finishing at No. 13. One of the SEC wins was against LSU; the other was the regular season finale last Sunday with a 3-1 win over Oklahoma.

Joe Kirt (Tennessee Athletics)

Hired by White in 2022 after Brian Pensky left for powerhouse Florida State, Kirt’s overall record as head coach was 48-29-17. He served as an assistant coach for Pensky and Ange Kelly, who was the head coach from 2000-11.

“Thankful to Danny for the opportunity to lead this program; it’s been an incredible privilege to share in our program’s tremendous success over the last 20 years,” Kirt said. “I’m grateful to have influenced the truly amazing women who have embodied the Volunteer spirit and will always be Lady Vols! Tennessee will always remain a special place in my heart.”

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Maria M. Cornelius has worked in Knoxville media since 1988 and Lady Vols basketball since 1998. Author of “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt” and “The Legacy of Pat Summitt: Players, Colleagues, Family, and Friends Who Knew Her Best,” she covers Lady Vols sports for KnoxTNToday and 247Sports.