As the Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team transitions into spring practice in April 2025, the program is quietly laying the groundwork for a breakout fall season. Coming off a 2024 campaign that saw them finish 10-5-4 and reach the NCAA Tournament’s second round, head coach Joe Kirt’s squad is using this off-season to refine its identity and integrate a promising mix of veterans and newcomers. On April 5, 2025, with spring exhibitions underway, Tennessee’s women’s soccer team is showing signs of becoming a sleeper contender in the SEC—a conference dominated by the likes of Arkansas and South Carolina.
The 2024 season was a step forward for the Lady Vols. They posted a 5-3-3 record in SEC play, their best since 2018, and secured a No. 6 seed in the conference tournament before falling 2-1 to Texas A&M in the quarterfinals. Forward Abbey Burdette led the charge with 11 goals and four assists, earning All-SEC Second Team honors, while goalkeeper Ally Zazzara anchored the backline with 74 saves and a 1.12 goals-against average. A 1-0 upset of No. 12 Auburn highlighted their potential, but inconsistency—evidenced by a 3-0 loss to Arkansas—kept them from deeper postseason success. Spring 2025 is about addressing those gaps.
Kirt, now in his fourth year, has emphasized possession and defensive structure this spring. During a March 29 intrasquad scrimmage, the Lady Vols showcased a refined 4-3-3 formation, controlling 58% of possession against their own reserves. Midfielder Maci Hodge, a junior with 18 career starts, dictated tempo with precise passing, while freshman winger Ella Carter—part of Tennessee’s top-25 2025 recruiting class—flashed speed and finishing ability with two goals. Carter, a Knoxville native ranked No. 38 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer, enrolled early and has already drawn comparisons to former Vol Kameron Simmonds for her flair on the flank.
Defensively, the focus is on cohesion. Zazzara, a senior, returns as one of the SEC’s top goalkeepers, but the backline lost center-back Emma Ledbetter to graduation. Sophomore Reese Stigall has stepped into the void, pairing with veteran Kennedy Price to form a promising duo. In a closed-door exhibition against Vanderbilt on April 3, Stigall’s physicality neutralized Vandy’s forwards, limiting them to three shots on goal. Kirt praised the unit’s progress, noting, “We’re building a wall back there, but it’s about staying disciplined for 90 minutes.”
Spring friendlies offer a low-stakes proving ground, and Tennessee’s April 5 matchup against Belmont looms as a key test. Belmont, a perennial Ohio Valley Conference contender, brings a fast-paced attack that mirrors SEC opponents. The Lady Vols aim to replicate their 2024 success against mid-majors (5-0-1 record) while sharpening their counterattacking edge. Burdette, who scored in last fall’s 2-1 win over Belmont, will be central to that effort, supported by Hodge’s playmaking and Carter’s dynamism.
Recruiting bolsters the optimism. Beyond Carter, Kirt landed four-star midfielder Sophie Salverino from Charlotte, N.C., whose vision and two-way work rate could stabilize the midfield. The 2025 class ranks No. 22 nationally, per TopDrawerSoccer, a sign of Tennessee’s growing appeal. Kirt’s staff has also targeted transfers, with rumors swirling about a potential portal addition from a Big Ten program to deepen the striker pool—a move that could offset the loss of reserve forward Sydney Harvey.
The SEC remains a gauntlet, and Tennessee’s 2025 schedule won’t relent. Road trips to Arkansas and Georgia, plus a home clash with defending champion South Carolina, will test this roster’s mettle. Spring practice isn’t about wins—it’s about preparation. If the Lady Vols can sustain possession, convert chances, and tighten their defense, they could climb into the SEC’s top tier. Last season’s NCAA exit—a 2-0 loss to Wake Forest—exposed a need for more clinical finishing, a focus Kirt has drilled into every session.
As of April 5, 2025, Tennessee women’s soccer is trending upward. Burdette’s leadership, Zazzara’s reliability, and a wave of young talent signal a program on the cusp. While football dominates Knoxville’s sports conversation, the Lady Vols are carving their own path. A strong spring could set the stage for a fall breakthrough—perhaps even a first NCAA quarterfinal since 2007.
