Tennessee Lady Vols basketball wins season opener behind Smikle debut

The Tennessee Lady Vols opened their season with a 109-62 victory over Duquesne. Fifth-year senior transfer Kaylene Smikle led the team with 31 points, shooting 11-for-13 from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range. Smikle’s performance marked her first regular-season game since December 2025 and stands as the second-highest scoring debut in program history.

Head coach Kim Caldwell noted that the team showed resilience after a slow start in the first quarter. Smikle contributed 23 of her points in the first half, providing a scoring burst that helped Tennessee secure the win. The team’s 109 points were the second-most in a season opener in the program’s history.