Lady Vols Basketball Suffers Sixth Straight Loss

Head coach Kim Caldwell and players discuss the team's struggles after falling to Vanderbilt

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team has now lost six games in a row after falling 87-77 to Vanderbilt. In the post-game press conference, head coach Kim Caldwell and point guard Nya Robertson spoke about the team's third-quarter issues, the upcoming SEC Tournament, and what went wrong against the Commodores. Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph also met with the media to discuss the historic win in Knoxville.

Why it matters

The Lady Vols are a storied women's basketball program, but they have struggled mightily this season, losing six straight games. This latest defeat to in-state rival Vanderbilt raises concerns about the team's ability to turn things around before the critical SEC Tournament and potential postseason play.

The details

In the loss to Vanderbilt, the Lady Vols were led by Nya Robertson, who scored 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting. However, the team was unable to overcome a strong performance by the Commodores, who pulled away in the second half. Coach Caldwell addressed the team's third-quarter struggles and the challenges they have faced during this difficult stretch.

  • The Lady Vols lost to Vanderbilt on March 1, 2026.
  • This was the sixth straight loss for the Lady Vols.

The players

Kim Caldwell

The head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.

Nya Robertson

A point guard for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.

Shea Ralph

The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must find a way to overcome our third-quarter struggles and regain our momentum if we want to be successful in the SEC Tournament and beyond.”

— Kim Caldwell, Head Coach, University of Tennessee Lady Vols (rockytopinsider.com)

“This was a big win for our team, especially to come into Knoxville and beat such a historic program. I'm proud of the way our players fought and executed in the second half.”

— Shea Ralph, Head Coach, Vanderbilt Commodores (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

The Lady Vols will now turn their attention to the SEC Tournament, where they hope to regain their form and make a deep run. The team's performance in the tournament will be crucial in determining their postseason fate.

The takeaway

The Lady Vols' six-game losing streak has raised serious concerns about the team's ability to compete at the highest level. However, the upcoming SEC Tournament presents an opportunity for the team to regroup and potentially salvage their season. The leadership of Coach Caldwell and the play of key players like Nya Robertson will be critical in determining whether the Lady Vols can turn things around.