Tennessee athletics prepares for season openers and Dolly Parton tribute

The University of Tennessee is preparing for multiple athletic season openers. In football, the Volunteers will face the Furman Paladins at Neyland Stadium. To honor the late music icon Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25 at age 80, the football team will wear a commemorative orange butterfly helmet decal featuring her signature throughout the season.

In volleyball, the No. 22 Tennessee Lady Vols will host the University of Illinois as part of the inaugural Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week. Tennessee enters the matchup following three consecutive sweeps, while Illinois seeks to continue its season after a split opening weekend.