The Lady Vols host the regionals for the twentieth consecutive season and secure the seventh overall seed.

For two decades, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball program has stood as a towering figure in collegiate athletics. With a blend of tradition, grit, and excellence, the program has become synonymous with postseason consistency—and in 2025, the legacy only deepened. For the twentieth consecutive season, the Lady Vols will host an NCAA Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, entering the tournament as the No. 7 overall seed.

It’s a milestone few programs in the nation can claim. Under the bright lights of Knoxville, head coach Karen Weekly has orchestrated yet another formidable campaign, positioning Tennessee as both a contender and a symbol of sustained greatness in NCAA softball.

From the days of Monica Abbott striking fear into batters to the dynamic offense of recent years, the Lady Vols have become a postseason fixture. Hosting regionals for two straight decades isn’t just a scheduling footnote—it’s a testament to Tennessee’s regular-season dominance and national respect.

“This is a celebration of twenty years of excellence,” said Weekly. “It speaks to our players, our staff, and the commitment our university has made to the sport of softball. Hosting again means we did our job throughout the regular season.”

Indeed, Tennessee did more than just “do their job.” The Lady Vols wrapped up the 2025 regular season with an impressive 45-10 overall record, including a 17-7 mark in Southeastern Conference play. In a league that routinely produces national champions, Tennessee carved out a place in the top tier, earning the seventh seed nationally and the right to play the early rounds at home—a fortress where they boast one of the best home records in the nation.

Tennessee’s 2025 roster is the perfect blend of veteran leadership and explosive young talent. The pitching staff, headlined by senior ace Payton Gottshall, has been one of the most dominant in the SEC. Gottshall, a transfer from Bowling Green two seasons ago, has evolved into a strikeout machine and emotional leader. She’s complemented by a versatile bullpen anchored by Karlyn Pickens, who brings heat and poise to the circle.

Offensively, the Lady Vols remain one of the most potent teams in the country. Junior outfielder Kiki Milloy has continued her All-American trajectory, showcasing elite speed, power, and defensive prowess. Milloy led the team with 20 home runs and 45 RBIs, often changing games with one swing of the bat or a diving catch in center field.

Joining her in the lineup is sophomore slugger McKenna Gibson, whose emergence as a power-hitting threat has given Tennessee a consistent 1-2 punch in the middle of the order. With a .355 average and a knack for clutch hitting, Gibson has proven herself on the biggest stages.

“We’ve got a lineup that can beat you in so many ways,” said Weekly. “Speed, power, execution—we can adapt to whatever style the game demands.”

Sherri Parker Lee Stadium has become a postseason cauldron, and the Lady Vols are looking to make the most of that advantage once again. Known for passionate fans and electric atmospheres, the venue provides Tennessee with a clear edge.

Tennessee is 21-3 at home this season, and the Regional atmosphere in Knoxville is expected to be as intense as ever. The stadium, which seats nearly 2,000, routinely sells out for postseason games. For many players, it’s not just a venue—it’s a home.

“We feed off the energy of this place,” said senior infielder Zaida Puni. “There’s nothing like playing in front of Lady Vol Nation. The crowd lifts us, and we want to give them something to cheer for.”

The regional bracket will include three visiting teams vying for a chance to advance to the Super Regional round. Though opponents have yet to be officially announced at the time of this writing, Tennessee’s past regionals have featured fierce competition, including upsets and extra-inning thrillers. Weekly knows that no matchup can be taken lightly.

“This time of year, there are no easy games,” she said. “Every team in the tournament earned their spot, and we have to treat every game like a championship.”

The Lady Vols enter the NCAA Tournament with not just a desire to advance but to return to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2023. That season saw Tennessee surge all the way to Oklahoma City, riding strong pitching and timely hitting to national relevance once more.

Though last season ended in heartbreak during Super Regionals, the returning core has used that disappointment as motivation. Weekly and her coaching staff have emphasized the value of experience and mental toughness throughout the season.

“You learn a lot from how a season ends,” Weekly said. “We’ve carried that hunger with us from the first practice of fall camp.”

The Lady Vols have every piece necessary for a deep run—elite pitching, high-octane offense, and exceptional defense. But perhaps more importantly, they have the cohesion and belief that champions are built upon.

“There’s a different feel to this team,” Milloy noted. “We’re closer than we’ve ever been. We’ve been through battles together, and we trust each other completely. That’s what’s going to carry us.”

While the players are the heart of the team, head coach Karen Weekly continues to be its soul. After taking the helm in 2002 alongside her late husband Ralph Weekly and assuming solo leadership in 2021, she has led Tennessee to new heights. Under her guidance, the program has become one of the most respected in the nation.

With more than 1,000 career wins, Weekly’s impact goes beyond statistics. She’s built a culture that prioritizes excellence, accountability, and empowerment—values that have resonated with generations of Lady Vols.

“Coach Weekly doesn’t just teach you softball,” said catcher Giulia Koutsoyanopulos. “She teaches you how to be strong, resilient, and confident. Playing for her changes your life.”

Weekly remains focused on the task at hand: surviving and advancing. But this 20th consecutive regional host offers a moment to appreciate her enduring contribution to the sport and the university.

“She’s the best in the business,” said Tennessee Athletics Director Danny White. “This kind of consistency doesn’t happen without visionary leadership, and Coach Weekly exemplifies everything we want Lady Vols athletics to represent.”

Should Tennessee emerge victorious in their regional, they would host a Super Regional against the winner of the corresponding bracket. From there, the ultimate goal awaits: a return to Oklahoma City and a shot at the national title.

The road is steep. Programs like Oklahoma, UCLA, and Florida loom large in the national conversation. But the Lady Vols aren’t backing down from anyone.

“You have to believe you belong,” Weekly said. “This group believes, and we’re ready to show the world what Tennessee softball is all about.”

As college sports face constant change—with NIL deals, conference realignment, and the transfer portal transforming landscapes—the Lady Vols have remained a beacon of tradition. Twenty straight years of hosting regionals isn’t just a reflection of success; it’s a symbol of stability.

For alumni, fans, and future recruits, it sends a clear message: in Knoxville, softball matters.

“To be part of this history is an honor,” said freshman pitcher Ryleigh White. “We talk a lot about legacy around here. Now, we’re writing the next chapter.”

Indeed, the 2025 Lady Vols aren’t just playing for wins. They’re playing for the past, present, and future of Tennessee softball. And once again, the road to the Women’s College World Series begins on their turf.