Tennessee’s 2014 schedule was released last week. While the pre-SEC schedule seems a little softer than what fans have come to expect over the years, it’s probably a good thing for a young team that needs to build experience and confidence, while hopefully staying healthy. And there are several teams on the list you’d be wise not to look past. Here are some quick notes about the schedule:

• The Lady Vols will begin the season on August 29th in Boone NC vs Tennessee Tech. Since 1978, the team is 28-8 in season opening matches. Under head coach Rob Patrick the team is 13-4.
• In total there will be 32 games during the regular season: 13 at home and 19 on the road, and 18 SEC and 14 out of conference.
• The team will play 10 matches on the road before local fans get to see them at Thompson Boling Arena on September 18th vs Austin Peay. That’s the latest date for a home opener since 2001, when the 9/11 attacks cancelled UT’s tournament making the September 21st match vs LSU the first game in Knoxville that year. The team is 29-7 since 1978 in home opening matches. Under coach Patrick they are 14-3.
• The non-conference slate consists of Appalachian State, Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Cleveland State, Evansville, Iowa State, Kennesaw State, Loyola University Maryland, Memphis, Mercer, Montana State, Nebraska-Omaha, Northern Illinois, and Tennessee Tech.
• The SEC season will begin September 26th at Arkansas. With only 18 conference matches between 12 other SEC teams, we no longer get a full round robin. This season UT will play these teams twice: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, and Texas A&M. They will play these teams only once: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and South Carolina.
• Nine of Tennessee’s opponents this coming season made the NCAA Tournament last year, and UT will play 15 games versus them: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa State, Kentucky, LSU, Missouri, and Texas A&M.
• The Lady Vols will face three in state opponents this season: Austin Peay, Memphis, and Tennessee Tech. In recorded games since 1973, UT is an impressive 134-27-4 against Tennessee schools, while coach Patrick is 23-2.