Member-only story

The Triumphant Tale of the Tennessee Lady Vols: Their Historic 1997-1998 Triumph

Angelo Ward

·17.5k Followers· Follow

Published in Raise The Roof: The Inspiring Inside Story Of The Tennessee Lady Vols Historic 1997 1998 Threepeat Season

5 min read · 2 weeks before

681 View Claps

63 Respond

Save

Listen

The Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team has long been a powerhouse in the world of women's college athletics. Led by the legendary coach Pat Summitt, the Lady Vols have won eight national championships, including a record-breaking three straight titles from 1996 to 1998. The 1997-1998 season was one of the most remarkable in the program's history, as the team overcame adversity and injuries to claim another national title.

The Season Begins

The 1997-1998 season began with high expectations for the Lady Vols. The team returned three starters from the previous year's title-winning squad, including All-American Chamique Holdsclaw. However, the season got off to a rocky start, as the Lady Vols lost two of their first three games.

Raise the Roof: The Inspiring Inside Story of the Tennessee Lady Vols' Historic 1997-1998 Threepeat Season

by Michael Part

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2730 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	305 pages

Overcoming Adversity

Despite the early setbacks, the Lady Vols rallied and won their next 14 games. However, the team was dealt a major blow when Holdsclaw suffered a season-ending knee injury in late January. Holdsclaw was the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and her loss seemed like a devastating blow.

But the Lady Vols refused to give up. Led by senior forward Tamika Catchings and junior guard Semeka Randall, the team rallied around each other and continued to win. They finished the regular season with a 26-3 record and earned the top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA Tournament

The Lady Vols cruised through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, but they faced a tough test in the regional semifinals against the second-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores. The game was close throughout, but the Lady Vols pulled out a 74-65 victory.

In the regional final, the Lady Vols faced the third-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels were a tough opponent, but the Lady Vols were able to win 87-60 and advance to the Final Four.

The Final Four

The Final Four was held in St. Louis, Missouri. The Lady Vols faced the fourth-seeded Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters in the semifinals. The game was another close one, but the Lady Vols prevailed 73-63.

In the championship game, the Lady Vols faced the second-seeded Stanford Cardinal. Stanford was a formidable opponent, but the Lady Vols were able to win 93-75 and claim their third consecutive national championship.

The Legacy

The 1997-1998 season was a historic one for the Tennessee Lady Vols. The team overcame adversity and injuries to claim another national title. The victory was a testament to the team's talent, resilience, and determination.

The 1997-1998 team is still considered one of the greatest women's college basketball teams of all time. The team's success inspired a generation of young women and helped to raise the profile of women's sports.

Key Players

Chamique Holdsclaw: A 6-foot-2 forward, Holdsclaw was the team's leading scorer and rebounder. She was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 1998.
Tamika Catchings: A 6-foot-1 forward, Catchings was a versatile player who could score, rebound, and defend. She was named the SEC Player of the Year in 1998.
Semeka Randall: A 5-foot-10 guard, Randall was the team's leading assist artist. She was also a tough defender.
Kara Lawson: A 5-foot-9 guard, Lawson was a valuable sixth man for the Lady Vols. She was a good shooter and passer.
Gwen Jackson: A 6-foot-1 center, Jackson was a solid rebounder and defender.

Coaching Staff

Pat Summitt: Summitt was the head coach of the Lady Vols from 1974 to 2012. She won eight national championships and is considered one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time.
Mickie DeMoss: DeMoss was an assistant coach on Summitt's staff from 1985 to 2004. She helped to develop some of the greatest players in Lady Vols history.

The Arena

The Tennessee Lady Vols play their home games at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. The arena has a capacity of over 21,000 and is one of the largest women's basketball arenas in the country.

The Fans

The Lady Vols have one of the most passionate fan bases in college basketball. The fans are known for their loyalty and enthusiasm. They pack Thompson-Boling Arena for every game and cheer on the Lady Vols with relentless support.

Raise the Roof: The Inspiring Inside Story of the Tennessee Lady Vols' Historic 1997-1998 Threepeat Season

by Michael Part

4.9 out of 5