WEBVTT
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.600
Probably one of the biggest achievements to be a part of in my whole life.
00:00:03.759 --> 00:00:14.640
It's huge to be a part of that history and to be under Coach D's leadership and the whole energy and the whole environment is just amazing here at Rocky Top.
00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:17.839
And I really couldn't be more thankful and grateful, yeah.
00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:27.120
Hey y'all, welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast.
00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:31.600
And before I get too far ahead of myself, I have to just note this off the top.
00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:36.159
We have an SEC champion in the podcast studio with us today.
00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:47.600
A couple weeks ago, the women's golf team went down to Florida and took care of business, bringing home the first SEC championship title in program history.
00:00:47.759 --> 00:01:05.920
It was an unforgettable week for these young women, and one in particular had a dominant performance from start to finish, especially in match play, where in the championship round, she had the clinching putt to win the title and bring home the trophy to Knoxville.
00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:13.680
So she's here to talk about the historic week with us and what the past two seasons have meant to her being here on Rocky Top.
00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:17.599
So please welcome to the Everything Orange podcast, Kyra Funkan.
00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:21.359
Kyra Funkan, welcome to the Everything Orange podcast.
00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:22.959
Thank you so much for having me.
00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:25.040
We are so excited to have you on.
00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:30.239
There's a really, really big reason why we are having you on right at this moment.
00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:40.480
But I'm gonna bury the leave just a little bit and get into some other questions before we talk about the fantastic week that we had a couple weeks ago for Tennessee Women's Golf.
00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:46.480
But have some fun get to know you questions so the fans can learn a little bit more about you in about 60 seconds.
00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:48.959
So we'll see how much we can rapid fire go through these.
00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:53.200
So my first question for you is what is your go-to snack during tournament week?
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:56.319
Um, okay, I love eating bananas on the golf course.
00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:57.200
It's amazing.
00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.159
You can't go wrong.
00:01:58.640 --> 00:01:59.680
Can't go wrong with that.
00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:03.519
If you could play one dream golf course tomorrow, where would you go?
00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:06.480
That's a tough one.
00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:09.120
I mean, probably like Pebble Beach.
00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:09.680
Oh my gosh.
00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:14.639
What's the most difficult thing about being a golfer that people don't realize?
00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:23.439
Probably that it's really time consuming and also you can never perfect the sport like you're always working towards a goal.
00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:24.000
Right.
00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:32.879
And yeah, it's it's a lot of hours of practice and it can be pretty mentally draining if you're not happy about something.
00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:34.879
But there's a lot of positives to it, too.
00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:35.680
Yes.
00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:40.240
Which teammate would survive the longest on a reality TV show?
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:43.919
That's actually so funny.
00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:45.840
A reality TV show.
00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:55.039
Um, I mean, maybe like uh KP or Sophie Christopher.
00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:55.759
Yeah.
00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:08.879
I'll throw in um an honorable mention too to Bibi because when we went on our Vol Leaders trip last year, she went, that girl went all over the world to get to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:14.240
Like she had she was in the air, she had a land in like Dubai, and she got there like two days late.
00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.319
But she's great, she has a lot of patience.
00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:17.759
That is so true.
00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:19.439
She has a lot of patience, yes.
00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:23.520
What's the funniest thing that's happened during a round or during a practice?
00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:25.360
Oh wow.
00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:31.919
Um, probably that a bird like did its business on my shoulder during a round.
00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:34.879
That's good luck, it is good luck, yeah.
00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:36.960
That's probably the funniest thing, yeah.
00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:40.639
If you weren't playing golf, what sport do you think you would compete in?
00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.199
Um I grew up playing tennis.
00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:47.039
So and I feel like I've always been pretty good at tennis.
00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:54.319
Obviously, not as good as the Vol Women's tennis team, but um, yeah, I've always really liked tennis, so probably doing that, yeah.
00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.759
What's your favorite hole at Tennessee's home course?
00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:07.520
Um I I really like um number four, it's it's really tricky, par five.
00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:12.960
Um, like you don't hit drive off the T box, you normally hit a three-word just to like lay it up.
00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:15.439
Um, and it's really tight the layup as well.
00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:15.599
Okay.
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:22.000
Like you have water on the left and then Obi on the right, and it's a nice sweatshot into the green as well.
00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:25.279
What's one golf superstition or routine that you have?
00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:28.480
Yeah, I always call my parents before the round.
00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:32.319
Um I always make sure I have a T in my hair.
00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:37.279
And um Yeah, I think that's pretty much it.
00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:42.160
Always make sure I have all the essentials as well, like some water and some snacks.
00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:42.480
Yeah.
00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:47.120
If you could instantly improve one part of your game forever, what would it be?
00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.519
Probably um my driver and just hit straight drives all the time.
00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:54.480
All the time.
00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:56.480
Long, powerful straight drives.
00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.600
I'm sure so many people listening to this would also agree with that.
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:01.600
They just want to hit them long and straight.
00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:02.480
That's it.
00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:05.839
What is the best piece of golf advice you've ever received?
00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:25.040
Yeah, probably um that golf is just a sport and it's just something that I do, and it's not really I mean, yes, it is my life, but I shouldn't make it my whole life, and I've still got you know my family and friends that love me and it's just something that I love to do, really.
00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:28.720
So you're more than just golf, yeah, than I didn't know.
00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:28.959
Exactly.
00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:30.879
Outside of golf, because you're chira.
00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:31.439
Yeah.
00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:39.279
Well, I want to talk about the 2026 season recap because what an incredible season you have had, this program has had.
00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:46.079
But before I get into any of that, you were just announced the all SEC second team, which is super exciting.
00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.759
What did that mean to you when you heard the announcement?
00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:57.519
Yeah, I mean, obviously it's a great achievement and something that I've been really working towards um ever since I got here.
00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:10.000
So um I'm very proud of it and proud of the hard work that I've done, and you know, all everything that I've done has all been for a reason, and yeah, I'm very, very happy with that.
00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:10.399
Yeah.
00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:23.680
You had a stellar sophomore season for the Lady Vols, consisting of 15 rounds of par or better, a 71.35 scoring average, nine rounds in the 60s, and four top 10 finishes.
00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:34.399
When you look at the consistency that you've played with this year, where do you feel like what part of your game do you feel like has improved the most to be able to see this translate into your sophomore season?
00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:39.839
Yeah, I think you know, the coaches and the whole coaching staff have just been incredible.
00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:44.560
Um, they've really helped me to grow and mature as a as a player on the team.
00:06:44.800 --> 00:07:01.600
And, you know, they've really just helped me with my golf IQ and like really just course management because I feel like um previously that's where I made a lot of mistakes is just like, you know, careless mistakes off the T-Box or just like taking the wrong club on the wrong hole.
00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:10.800
Um, so really just trying to limit the small mistakes because I think I've always like had the game, um, but just being smarter about everything.
00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:18.560
Um, but yeah, generally I think that my ball striking has improved a lot and the wedges have certainly improved a lot.
00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:29.199
Um yeah, the coaches have done an amazing job with me and keeping me accountable over like being really precise of my wedge numbers.
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:29.680
Okay.
00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:33.199
And so I think I've gotten a lot better in those aspects, yeah.
00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:49.680
Looking specifically at just the 2026 calendar year that we're in so far, you also had your first career win ever at the FAU Paradise Invitational where you posted a dominant 10 under par to also help Tennessee win the team title.
00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:53.920
How would you describe what that first career win felt like for you?
00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:58.720
Yeah, it was probably one of the best days.
00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:06.800
Well, it yeah, close in in the individual career, but it was it was an amazing day.
00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:29.279
Um, I mean, there was a lot of drama that happened at the tournament because like on round one at the tournament, I was warming up and like the ground, obviously we're just coming out of winter, and the ground was still really hard, and I tweaked my wrist a little bit, so I was like stressing before the round because I was thinking like, oh my gosh, maybe I'm not even gonna play.
00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:41.120
Um but luckily I was okay and like uh just rapped a lot and it was able to like stay in possession and I was okay and managed to play really, really well.
00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:45.919
And honestly, I think that took a lot of pressure off of me because of that.
00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:52.559
Um, but really I just I love the golf course and yeah, we we just love playing in Florida, honestly.
00:08:52.799 --> 00:09:00.000
Yeah, no, Florida is a um a special state for the Lady Vols, and a lot of good things happen when we go down and play in Florida for sure.
00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:05.519
If you could describe this season and this team in one word, what would it be and why?
00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:19.440
Um, well, I mean, I would say we are special, we are a really special team, and we have so much love and encouragement for one another, and I think truly you can't find that anywhere else.
00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.279
Like it's truly unmatched.
00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:28.000
Um, yeah, we're all incredibly supportive of one another, we're on the same page, and we're all working towards a common goal.
00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:43.919
So I will get to the part of the season now that was incredibly special, like you mentioned, um, and the reason for it, because you played a huge role in this team going down to Florida for the SEC championship tournament.
00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:55.200
But before we get into the breakdown of the week and how it all went, can you set the stage for everybody as to what an SEC golf tournament looks like?
00:09:55.519 --> 00:10:01.360
Because each round, well, I guess you could say the first half and the second half of the week look different.
00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:08.000
And so what how you start out playing and then kind of how you finish playing, what the breakdown there looks like for you all.
00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:11.759
Yeah, I mean, an SEC golf championship is a really long week.
00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:15.360
Um, probably one of the biggest weeks in college golf.
00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:20.559
Um, so yeah, like we get there and normally have a travel day.
00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:23.120
Um, the next day is a practice round.
00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:27.440
Um so it normally takes about five hours to play the practice round.
00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:31.919
It's just working out and mapping out the golf course, and then you practice afterwards.
00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:34.960
And then following that, you have three rounds of stroke play.
00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:44.080
So um you have to get into the top eight to obviously seed yourself and uh get a spot into the match play.
00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:47.279
And then you have three rounds of match play.
00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:53.679
Um, and the first and second rounds of match play are 36 holes, so they're on the same day.
00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:54.240
Yes.
00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:57.279
Um, so yeah, it's it's an extremely long week.
00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:02.720
Um so we have to be very like accountable of, you know, obviously our recovery and our rest.
00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.279
And I think we did a great job of that.
00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:05.759
Yeah.
00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:07.120
Yeah, I'd say so.
00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:19.120
Um so that's a that's a great segue into breaking down the week because I think it is important that we note that every team plays those first three rounds, and then from there it goes to quarterfinals, semifinals, and then the finals.
00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:19.360
Yeah.
00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:26.720
Um, so let's insert Tennessee into all of this because heading into the SUC Championship week, Tennessee rate eight ranked 18th nationally.
00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:34.080
And after Friday, day one of competition, the team was tied for 10th place after posting a four over par 284.
00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:48.639
What was the message to the team after day one to stay composed, stay locked in, and know that you still had a lot more competition before the final eight were determined going into match play?
00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:52.320
Yeah, I think after round one, you really just want to see where you're at.
00:11:52.399 --> 00:12:05.039
And we had like a good team discussion afterwards, and you know, our head coach, Coach D always sets us on the right track and you know gets us to the mindset of which we want to be and what we really need to focus on.
00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:11.919
And I think round two is you know, it's moving day, so um, there's more pressure off of you.
00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:18.080
So um, yeah, I feel like I played a lot better that day, but every everyone in the team played their part.
00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:26.159
And um, I mean, Bibi had an amazing birdie put on on the last round of SECs to get us a spot into the match play.
00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.320
So yeah, everyone did a great job.
00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:34.000
I have to shout out your freshman, Madison Messer, too, because she showed no nerves in her atmosphere.
00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:42.000
Yeah, she played amazing, she played unbelievable, and she earned a team best two under par, 68 in round one.
00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:49.840
How impressive was Madison's performance, not just in that first day, but for the whole week and being able to contribute in a big way for this team.
00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:53.120
Yeah, I mean, she has just been a solid rock for all of us.
00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:56.639
Um, she's such an amazing, natural, talented player.
00:12:56.799 --> 00:13:00.720
Um, I think everyone in the team is inspires to be like her.
00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:06.320
I mean, she's so calm out there and she's just wonderful to watch on the on the golf course.
00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:09.120
I I really enjoy playing golf with her as well.
00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:18.720
And um, yeah, I I can't wait to see, you know, what else she does and you know, with her career while she's here at Tennessee because I mean she's only a freshman.
00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.120
Right.
00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:23.279
And she has achieved an immense amount of things already.
00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.919
So I can't wait to see what the future opens for her.
00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.559
You were key to Tennessee's success on Saturday as well.
00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:36.320
The team posted five under par, a 275, which marked a nine-stroke improvement from Friday's opening round performance.
00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:41.840
What do you think helped click for that team on Saturday that you guys were able to do so well?
00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:49.440
Um, I mean, we had like a team chat before the round, and we were like, you know, everyone, let's just fight today.
00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:52.080
It's moving day, give it your role.
00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:58.480
And I think I have like a way of like I need to like settle more into the round.
00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:07.360
So, like once I got round one out of the way, then I was able to fully be myself and to have a couple of free swings out there and and to play a lot better, yeah.
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:16.159
Yeah, and play a little bit more with confidence because you got that first one under your belt, and it's like, okay, now I know how everything feels, and now I can go out there and, like you mentioned, play free.
00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:16.639
Exactly.
00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:22.720
So heading into day three, Tennessee was tied for eighth place and needed a top eight finish to advance to match play, like you talked about.
00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:28.559
And thanks to another standout performance from Madison, once again the team propelled into sixth place to finish stroke play.
00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:28.799
Yeah.
00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:33.840
When you officially earned a spot in match play, did the energy shift for this group?
00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.600
Did the mindset shift for this group?
00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:38.639
What was what was the morale like going into match play?
00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:42.399
We were so excited, so energetic.
00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:45.360
And our team is amazing at match play.
00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:52.320
We um did like a Lady Volk Cup, sort of just for practice before we played SEC.
00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.080
So we'd like to play against each other.
00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.559
Okay.
00:14:54.720 --> 00:15:09.120
Um, and I think that was really, really helpful going into SECs, and that's kind of what gave us that like kind of mindset, like aggressive mindset that like, okay, now we're ready to have some fun and to, you know, beat some people.
00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:11.200
Yeah, and what did you ever?
00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:24.720
Because now that we're in match play, you had your quarterfinals against Oklahoma, which you took care of business pretty easily, being them four to one, but you had to turn around that same day and play your semifinals match against Texas AM.
00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:35.200
How were you guys able to regroup so quickly and lock back in for a second time in what I'm sure was a long day in order to secure a spot in the championship round?
00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:39.120
Yeah, I think this team, we really just have a lot of fight in us.
00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:43.519
And um honestly, we took everything very seriously.
00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:46.960
Like we had no doubt that we like were gonna make it through.
00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:50.159
Like we were not gonna let anyone beat us.
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.879
And we just took the day very seriously.
00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:59.120
Like we had a light meal before round two started, and then we were just like, okay, I'll see you out there.
00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:02.240
I'll because we always wave at each other on the golf course.
00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:11.440
Um, I think also just keeping that energy up and that enthusiasm, the other teams would see that, and they would obviously feel a little bit threatened.
00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:11.840
Right.
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:18.080
Um, because of yeah, how much care we have for one another and how positive our energy is.
00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:30.960
So now the day has come and the number 18 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols are going up against the number eight Auburn Tigers in the championship round with an SEC championship on the line.
00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.440
Yeah.
00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:39.360
What emotions were you feeling, were the team feeling as you head into this final round of the tournament?
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:49.360
Yeah, I mean, I don't think anyone on the team was nervous at all because um I think we weren't really favored to win.
00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:52.320
Like we were seen as the underdogs coming in.
00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:56.000
Um, and I think that's where their mistake was.
00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:58.399
They really overestimated us.
00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:03.279
And um I don't think they expected what we had in store for them.
00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:14.079
So um, yeah, I'm really proud of the fight that we had that day, and we knew like we had the self-belief, and we knew that we could pull this thing off.
00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:17.839
And yeah, I'm so proud and so glad that we did.
00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.559
Yeah, it's it was an incredible moment, yeah.
00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:30.799
So I want you to set the scene for me because when I tell you, like down in our office downstairs, every TV was turned on to the SEC network.
00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.359
We were following you guys all morning.
00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:40.319
There was so much excitement in the building on campus for what we were watching unfold, which was history.
00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:40.720
Yeah.
00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:45.440
So when the round was tied up, two to two, it all came down to you.
00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:45.839
Yeah.
00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.519
No pressure, right?
00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.839
You have a lot of pressure in this meeting.
00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:53.359
And after hole 16, the lead was only one stroke for you.
00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:58.000
What do you remember about how you were feeling heading into the 17th hole?
00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:03.039
Yeah, I mean, I had lost the 16th hole, um, which was okay.
00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.400
I mean, I was still one up going into the 17th hole.
00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:09.359
And so obviously it's her turn to play first.
00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:16.880
So she hits a three-word off the T-Box, and I pull out my driver, and I was just gonna be very aggressive on the hole.
00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:23.200
And I turned to my assistant coach, Coach Anna Newell, and I said, like, I'm making birdie here.
00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:26.160
And she just turned to me and she was like, Okay, let's do it.
00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:29.599
So um my opponent hit a great shot.
00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:32.720
She hit it to about eight feet, seven, eight feet.
00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.960
Um, and her team was going crazy.
00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:42.400
So obviously it it's kind of hard to just like block out that noise and focus back on what you need to do, you know.
00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:47.599
Um, but you know, my coach and I we worked out the shot really well.
00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.799
We had a great number.
00:18:48.960 --> 00:19:02.799
She knew that my arms were a little bit pumped because of all the adrenaline, and uh yeah, I knew I was gonna hit a little bit further, so we we um went back a club and I hit less club and hit a great shot to about three feet.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:09.920
And in that moment I was so pumped because I knew like we're gonna get this, we're gonna win the SEC championship.
00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:19.039
And um she just happened to miss her putt, and obviously there was a lot of pressure on that three-footer, but I I knew like I put these every day.
00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:24.799
This is what I practice for, and this is I'm doing this for my team and for for Tennessee.
00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:30.000
And yeah, when I made that put, so much relief I didn't know what to do for myself.
00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:37.599
I just dropped the putter and I ran straight to the team, and it was just an incredible moment to share with them, yeah.
00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:54.000
There was so much intensity watching that final hole, and it was so impressive for you, being only a sophomore, to have to follow up your opponent, and she made some great shots on that hole.
00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.559
I did, yeah.
00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:58.240
But you just said, Oh, you can do that, watch me do it too.
00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:58.960
No problem.
00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:11.519
A little bit better, just a little bit better, and then you had the title clinching putt to win Tennessee Lady Vol Women's Golf, their first SEC championship title.
00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:19.359
To have that moment with your team, to celebrate with them, like does it feel almost like a fever dream?
00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:22.799
Like, don't pitch me, don't wake me up because this is like the most incredible moment ever.
00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:28.079
Yeah, I mean, probably one of the biggest achievements to be a part of in my whole life.
00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:30.160
Um, I mean, it's huge.
00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:38.160
It's huge to be a part of that history and to have our faces go up on the walls around here.
00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:49.759
Um, I couldn't be prouder, and I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of the team that I'm currently in, and you know, to be under Coach D's leadership.
00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:56.400
And, you know, just the whole energy and the whole environment is just amazing here at Rocky Top.
00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.359
And yeah, I really couldn't be more thankful and grateful.
00:20:59.440 --> 00:20:59.599
Yeah.
00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:10.960
It was so special to watch because I know how hard this team has worked, not just this season, but for the past two, three, four seasons leading up to a moment like this.
00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:13.279
Uh, what how did the team celebrate?
00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:19.279
What was the celebration like uh the rest of the day, the the flight back home to Rocky Top?
00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:22.960
Um, what did it what just how were you taking it all in with your teammates?
00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:30.000
Yeah, I mean, this season has been, you know, a real outstanding one for all of us.
00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:34.160
I mean, we had um we set a program record.
00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:39.440
We had four wins this whole season, and yeah, so that's also another amazing thing.
00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:44.960
But really how we celebrated because we had to catch a flight on the way back home.
00:21:45.119 --> 00:22:07.279
So we're just showing off our medals and um yeah, when we got back, uh Coach D's husband was there with some flowers, and yeah, it was really nice to come back to a family environment and Yeah, but the rest of the time, I just couldn't be more happy to show my medal and just walk around with my t-shirt on.
00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:20.000
It's so incredible to think of like how it started for you guys in the tournament to how you guys finished, because there was no doubt in any of y'all's mind that it could be done.
00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:29.359
And it would be done no matter what position you sat in, where you were having to play as an underdog one day, or you felt in control the whole day.
00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:32.160
You guys never took your foot off the gas for the whole week.
00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:39.759
And for you in particular, you were just one of two Lady Vols to win all three of your matches in the match play portion of the tournament.
00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:45.119
What is it about that part or that style of play that fits into your game so well?
00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:53.839
Yeah, I think I'm a very aggressive player, and I think my coaches know that they also did a great job with who plays who.
00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:56.160
So I think they seeded that very well.
00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.880
Um, but that's also the thing that they've told me.
00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:05.119
Like in stroke play, they'll be like, Kyra, you can't go for that flag because there's a lot of danger around that flag.
00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.720
You need to play more conservative.
00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:10.240
And in match play, I just feel like I can be really aggressive.
00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:15.279
And um, I also just yeah, I don't let my opponent see through me as well.
00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:20.559
Um, you know, very when it's getting down to business, I'll make sure that I'll do it right.
00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:26.000
At what point in the week did you realize okay, this team can actually do something really special?
00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:38.480
I felt like when since whenever we got there, like I just had a feeling, and you know, everything that happened during the week, it was like that trophy was meant for us.
00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:53.759
Because I mean, with Sophie Angerseth's um shot in round two of her match play, um, she was like one down on the 18th hole, and she had an iron shot over the water, and it like landed in a sprinkler.
00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:57.119
And if it missed the sprinkler, it would have gone in the water.
00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:04.480
And thankfully the sprinkler head was there, and you know, she made that putt when she got a drop off of there.
00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:08.079
So she ended up winning the hole and ended up winning the whole match.
00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:19.680
So um, I mean, ever since that happened, like it was just meant fully for us, and we ended up taking that sprinkler head home because yeah, it's on display now at the facility.
00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.200
That's amazing.
00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.640
It's our good luck charm.
00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:24.400
Yeah, that's so amazing.
00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:24.960
I love that.
00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:30.480
A little uh memento from an unexpected memento from the title win.
00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:38.799
Um to be a part of the group, to win Tennessee Women's Golf first conference title championship, to be a part of that history.
00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.400
What does that mean to you?
00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:44.079
Yeah, I mean, it's really a privilege.
00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:51.920
I I think I get really emotional about it because, you know, this is what I've dreamed about for a very, very long time.
00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:57.200
And I absolutely love being a part of this whole environment, the whole team.
00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:59.359
I love representing UT.
00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:07.279
And yeah, obviously it's it's just amazing having to carry um this like title.
00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:12.960
And yeah, I couldn't be prouder of myself and the whole team and all of our efforts.
00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.559
Where's the medal right now?
00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.359
Do you have a display?
00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.920
It's in my room, hanging up on the wall.
00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.559
Amazing.
00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:21.359
I can see it when I when I walk in every time.
00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:25.359
Every morning you wake up and you're like, oh, I'm an SEC champion.
00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.599
Yeah, and I have that t-shirt as well.
00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.720
That's amazing.
00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.799
It's it's yeah, it's amazing.
00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.079
I love having it there.
00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.519
So well deserved.
00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:36.480
Uh, this roster is also only eight women.
00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:40.559
It's a very small team, but I can imagine a very close-knit group.
00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:40.880
Yes.
00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:48.160
To be able to do it with this specific group of young women, what did it mean for you to celebrate a moment so special with them?
00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.400
Yeah, I mean, it was exhilarating.
00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:53.680
I mean, these young women are my best friends.
00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.680
Like, we do everything together.
00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.920
We eat, train.
00:25:58.079 --> 00:26:01.839
I wouldn't say we sleep together, but we sleep in the same dorms together.
00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:08.480
And um, yeah, see, I see we see each other like every minute of the day.
00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:12.559
So just to like run to them and just to be like laughing.
00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.559
I mean, I didn't know what my face was doing.
00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:29.119
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry because there was just a lot of emotions and feelings, and just to have finally have done it because I mean, ever since I got here, the idea was to win an SEC championship.
00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.960
And yeah, now we've done that.
00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:33.920
Now you can check that off the list off the box.
00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:42.240
Uh, when you look back on what an unforgettable week it was down in Florida, is there one moment uh that stands out to you the most from it?
00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:42.880
Yeah.
00:26:42.960 --> 00:27:02.319
Um, yeah, after uh one of the days or rounds of golf, um, the whole team and I we went to go uh get some ice cream and we went to this really cool, like fancy ice cream shop, and two of the girls got like this weird blue cookie monster ice cream.
00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:08.720
And when they ate it, their whole like mouths were just blue, and it was just hilarious.
00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:11.039
Yeah, it was a really fun memory.
00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:29.119
And it shows so well like how like this group just loves to have fun and be together, like in the height of a moment this big, you guys are just going to go get ice cream and enjoying time together, and I think that like that sisterhood shows up on the course together when you have those relationships and those bonds.
00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.519
Yeah.
00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:42.799
On that note, uh last week Tennessee Women's Golf learned that they will be playing in the Waco regional for the uh NCAA regional round of the postseason, May 11th through the 13th next week.
00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:51.440
How much confidence does winning an SEC championship title go into how you look at the rest of the postseason ahead of you guys?
00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:57.440
Yeah, I think we definitely have more confidence in, you know, ourselves and one another.
00:27:57.599 --> 00:28:03.920
And I think we'll get a lot of looks when we show up there, and you know, people will be more intimidated by us.
00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:08.960
Um, but yeah, I think this gives us a lot of momentum, especially in our preparation.
00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:15.440
Um, I mean, we we pretty much know what it takes now to win a huge championship.
00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:22.319
So I think we're gonna really just go of what we learned at SECs and use that now when we play at regionals and nationals.
00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:26.799
This is the Lady Vol's fourth consecutive NCAA regional appearance.
00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:32.319
You obviously experienced one last year and you also experienced an NCAA championship as well.
00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:43.440
For you to have that experience and for the team to have that experience, knowing what it takes, how much does that help you guys as you picture what the next couple of weeks look like for this team?
00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:53.759
Yeah, I mean, I think right now at regionals it's just about getting that seed, you know, getting that spot in the national championship.
00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:57.200
And then I think we can go off from there.
00:28:57.279 --> 00:29:01.839
And yeah, I think there's some really good things waiting for us at California.
00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.319
Oh, yeah.
00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:04.559
In Omni La Costa Resort.
00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:06.240
That place is so nice.
00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:11.200
It's I've only heard great things from our videographer Michael, who was there last year.
00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:13.119
He's like, I'm looking forward to going back.
00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.480
I'm like, I bet you are.
00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:17.200
It's a it's an amazing holiday place for sure.
00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:17.680
I bet.
00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:21.119
You don't even feel like uh you're playing the national championship now.
00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.400
Yeah, I'm on a holiday day.
00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.359
I'm on vacation.
00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.200
Oh, wait.
00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.559
I do have to play a bottom later.
00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:28.240
Yeah, we'll get to that.
00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:31.200
Okay, and just a little bit about you as we wrap up.
00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:36.559
You were born and raised in South Africa, which is a beautiful place if you've never been.
00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:40.559
I've only been through the Vault Leaders Academy, but uh you're from Joe Burg, right?
00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:51.440
Um, what was it about Tennessee that made you ready to take the next step in your golf career and move to the States to Rocky Top to play for Tennessee?
00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:55.200
Yeah, I mean, I really loved Knoxville.
00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:59.599
I loved the city and I loved the chats that I had with my coaches.
00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:12.240
I thought that they were so welcoming and, you know, they loved me as a person, but I also knew that they were going to push me to my best self and to be the best golfer that I can be.
00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:15.279
I mean, our golf facility is just amazing.
00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:20.000
The views we have there, and you can play whatever shot you really want to play.
00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:31.599
So if you need a practice on a specific like area of your game or like on a Bermuda green or you know, another type of grass, you can because we have all of that there at the facility.
00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:38.559
I mean, yeah, just the whole like environment was just amazing, and just the team culture as well.
00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.599
Yeah, I loved it.
00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:44.400
What was the biggest adjustment for you moving from South Africa to the States?
00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:47.920
Yeah, I mean, there was quite a lot.
00:30:48.160 --> 00:31:06.079
Um I think it's just like not that it's a bad thing, but just like the the accent thing, and yeah, I know my accent can be a little bit um different, but yeah, I think just getting used to like the new culture here, um, new food as well.
00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:11.119
Um, South Africa, not too bad, but we have amazing food down there.
00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:14.720
Um, so I think that was probably one of the hardest things.
00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:21.519
Your head coach, uh Diana Cantu, obviously was a Lady Vol here as well from 2006 to 2010.
00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:28.559
How has she embodied what the Lady Vol legacy represents to you and helped you understand what it means to represent the Lady Vol Power Tea?
00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:34.240
Yeah, I mean, she's a perfect like representation of what it means to be a true Lady Vol.
00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:40.559
I mean, she always says to us that we need to um leave a place better than we found it.
00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:43.359
And you know, that really sticks with me a lot.
00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:47.279
And everything she does, I mean, she's so grateful.
00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:54.000
Um, she's also so what's humble, yeah, that's the word for it.
00:31:54.319 --> 00:32:02.160
Um yeah, she's she's amazing, and yeah, I'm I don't know, I'm running out of words for that.
00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:09.680
What's one thing in particular that she brings to the program that most people don't get to see or know about her personally?
00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:17.759
She's really energetic and enthusiastic, and also you can go to her for anything that you want to talk about.
00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:24.640
You know, if you're having trouble with something or if you're having the best day of your life, she will be there for you no matter what.
00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:27.279
And she's just an overall great person to talk to.
00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:37.920
Overall, looking back on the past two years, I know we're not like fully finished with year two yet because we still have more competition to go, but how would you describe what the past two years have been like for you here at Tennessee?
00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:43.839
I think it's been, you know, such a big learning experience for me.
00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:49.920
Um, I just can't believe that how far I've come like as a person and as a player.
00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:58.799
Um, there's so many things that you know I've learned and had the privilege of experiencing, and um, yeah, I couldn't be more thankful for that growth.
00:32:59.119 --> 00:33:11.920
When you look back in five or ten years from now on this team, on this experience that you have, um what are you gonna remember the most about your time on Rocky Talk?
00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:18.799
Just doing like everyday things with the girls and having those special like one-on-one moments with the girls.
00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:24.559
I mean, we have a lot of laughs and jokes, and everyone is just so comfortable with one another.
00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:27.759
So I think I'm really gonna miss that team culture.
00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:32.000
And yeah, I mean, I just love being a part of this every single day.
00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:48.079
Well, it's so exciting that you're only a sophomore, and you have so much more golf here to play this season and next year and the year after that, and you know, Kyra is a part of the Volleyers Academy, so we're going to Rwanda together this summer in June.
00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:54.240
So um, you just embody so much of what it means to be a lady of all, and we can't thank you again for the time.
00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:58.319
And we're so looking forward to seeing what you guys do in the month of May, these next couple of weeks.
00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.680
So thank you so much.
00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.720
Thank you.
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.600
Probably one of the biggest achievements to be a part of in my whole life.
00:00:03.759 --> 00:00:14.640
It's huge to be a part of that history and to be under Coach D's leadership and the whole energy and the whole environment is just amazing here at Rocky Top.
00:00:14.720 --> 00:00:17.839
And I really couldn't be more thankful and grateful, yeah.
00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:27.120
Hey y'all, welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast.
00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:31.600
And before I get too far ahead of myself, I have to just note this off the top.
00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:36.159
We have an SEC champion in the podcast studio with us today.
00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:47.600
A couple weeks ago, the women's golf team went down to Florida and took care of business, bringing home the first SEC championship title in program history.
00:00:47.759 --> 00:01:05.920
It was an unforgettable week for these young women, and one in particular had a dominant performance from start to finish, especially in match play, where in the championship round, she had the clinching putt to win the title and bring home the trophy to Knoxville.
00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:13.680
So she's here to talk about the historic week with us and what the past two seasons have meant to her being here on Rocky Top.
00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:17.599
So please welcome to the Everything Orange podcast, Kyra Funkan.
00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:21.359
Kyra Funkan, welcome to the Everything Orange podcast.
00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:22.959
Thank you so much for having me.
00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:25.040
We are so excited to have you on.
00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:30.239
There's a really, really big reason why we are having you on right at this moment.
00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:40.480
But I'm gonna bury the leave just a little bit and get into some other questions before we talk about the fantastic week that we had a couple weeks ago for Tennessee Women's Golf.
00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:46.480
But have some fun get to know you questions so the fans can learn a little bit more about you in about 60 seconds.
00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:48.959
So we'll see how much we can rapid fire go through these.
00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:53.200
So my first question for you is what is your go-to snack during tournament week?
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:56.319
Um, okay, I love eating bananas on the golf course.
00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:57.200
It's amazing.
00:01:57.439 --> 00:01:58.159
You can't go wrong.
00:01:58.640 --> 00:01:59.680
Can't go wrong with that.
00:01:59.920 --> 00:02:03.519
If you could play one dream golf course tomorrow, where would you go?
00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:06.480
That's a tough one.
00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:09.120
I mean, probably like Pebble Beach.
00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:09.680
Oh my gosh.
00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:14.639
What's the most difficult thing about being a golfer that people don't realize?
00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:23.439
Probably that it's really time consuming and also you can never perfect the sport like you're always working towards a goal.
00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:24.000
Right.
00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:32.879
And yeah, it's it's a lot of hours of practice and it can be pretty mentally draining if you're not happy about something.
00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:34.879
But there's a lot of positives to it, too.
00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:35.680
Yes.
00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:40.240
Which teammate would survive the longest on a reality TV show?
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:43.919
That's actually so funny.
00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:45.840
A reality TV show.
00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:55.039
Um, I mean, maybe like uh KP or Sophie Christopher.
00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:55.759
Yeah.
00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:08.879
I'll throw in um an honorable mention too to Bibi because when we went on our Vol Leaders trip last year, she went, that girl went all over the world to get to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:14.240
Like she had she was in the air, she had a land in like Dubai, and she got there like two days late.
00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.319
But she's great, she has a lot of patience.
00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:17.759
That is so true.
00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:19.439
She has a lot of patience, yes.
00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:23.520
What's the funniest thing that's happened during a round or during a practice?
00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:25.360
Oh wow.
00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:31.919
Um, probably that a bird like did its business on my shoulder during a round.
00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:34.879
That's good luck, it is good luck, yeah.
00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:36.960
That's probably the funniest thing, yeah.
00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:40.639
If you weren't playing golf, what sport do you think you would compete in?
00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:43.199
Um I grew up playing tennis.
00:03:43.520 --> 00:03:47.039
So and I feel like I've always been pretty good at tennis.
00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:54.319
Obviously, not as good as the Vol Women's tennis team, but um, yeah, I've always really liked tennis, so probably doing that, yeah.
00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.759
What's your favorite hole at Tennessee's home course?
00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:07.520
Um I I really like um number four, it's it's really tricky, par five.
00:04:07.919 --> 00:04:12.960
Um, like you don't hit drive off the T box, you normally hit a three-word just to like lay it up.
00:04:13.039 --> 00:04:15.439
Um, and it's really tight the layup as well.
00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:15.599
Okay.
00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:22.000
Like you have water on the left and then Obi on the right, and it's a nice sweatshot into the green as well.
00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:25.279
What's one golf superstition or routine that you have?
00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:28.480
Yeah, I always call my parents before the round.
00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:32.319
Um I always make sure I have a T in my hair.
00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:37.279
And um Yeah, I think that's pretty much it.
00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:42.160
Always make sure I have all the essentials as well, like some water and some snacks.
00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:42.480
Yeah.
00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:47.120
If you could instantly improve one part of your game forever, what would it be?
00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.519
Probably um my driver and just hit straight drives all the time.
00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:54.480
All the time.
00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:56.480
Long, powerful straight drives.
00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.600
I'm sure so many people listening to this would also agree with that.
00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:01.600
They just want to hit them long and straight.
00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:02.480
That's it.
00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:05.839
What is the best piece of golf advice you've ever received?
00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:25.040
Yeah, probably um that golf is just a sport and it's just something that I do, and it's not really I mean, yes, it is my life, but I shouldn't make it my whole life, and I've still got you know my family and friends that love me and it's just something that I love to do, really.
00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:28.720
So you're more than just golf, yeah, than I didn't know.
00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:28.959
Exactly.
00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:30.879
Outside of golf, because you're chira.
00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:31.439
Yeah.
00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:39.279
Well, I want to talk about the 2026 season recap because what an incredible season you have had, this program has had.
00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:46.079
But before I get into any of that, you were just announced the all SEC second team, which is super exciting.
00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.759
What did that mean to you when you heard the announcement?
00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:57.519
Yeah, I mean, obviously it's a great achievement and something that I've been really working towards um ever since I got here.
00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:10.000
So um I'm very proud of it and proud of the hard work that I've done, and you know, all everything that I've done has all been for a reason, and yeah, I'm very, very happy with that.
00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:10.399
Yeah.
00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:23.680
You had a stellar sophomore season for the Lady Vols, consisting of 15 rounds of par or better, a 71.35 scoring average, nine rounds in the 60s, and four top 10 finishes.
00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:34.399
When you look at the consistency that you've played with this year, where do you feel like what part of your game do you feel like has improved the most to be able to see this translate into your sophomore season?
00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:39.839
Yeah, I think you know, the coaches and the whole coaching staff have just been incredible.
00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:44.560
Um, they've really helped me to grow and mature as a as a player on the team.
00:06:44.800 --> 00:07:01.600
And, you know, they've really just helped me with my golf IQ and like really just course management because I feel like um previously that's where I made a lot of mistakes is just like, you know, careless mistakes off the T-Box or just like taking the wrong club on the wrong hole.
00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:10.800
Um, so really just trying to limit the small mistakes because I think I've always like had the game, um, but just being smarter about everything.
00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:18.560
Um, but yeah, generally I think that my ball striking has improved a lot and the wedges have certainly improved a lot.
00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:29.199
Um yeah, the coaches have done an amazing job with me and keeping me accountable over like being really precise of my wedge numbers.
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:29.680
Okay.
00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:33.199
And so I think I've gotten a lot better in those aspects, yeah.
00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:49.680
Looking specifically at just the 2026 calendar year that we're in so far, you also had your first career win ever at the FAU Paradise Invitational where you posted a dominant 10 under par to also help Tennessee win the team title.
00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:53.920
How would you describe what that first career win felt like for you?
00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:58.720
Yeah, it was probably one of the best days.
00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:06.800
Well, it yeah, close in in the individual career, but it was it was an amazing day.
00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:29.279
Um, I mean, there was a lot of drama that happened at the tournament because like on round one at the tournament, I was warming up and like the ground, obviously we're just coming out of winter, and the ground was still really hard, and I tweaked my wrist a little bit, so I was like stressing before the round because I was thinking like, oh my gosh, maybe I'm not even gonna play.
00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:41.120
Um but luckily I was okay and like uh just rapped a lot and it was able to like stay in possession and I was okay and managed to play really, really well.
00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:45.919
And honestly, I think that took a lot of pressure off of me because of that.
00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:52.559
Um, but really I just I love the golf course and yeah, we we just love playing in Florida, honestly.
00:08:52.799 --> 00:09:00.000
Yeah, no, Florida is a um a special state for the Lady Vols, and a lot of good things happen when we go down and play in Florida for sure.
00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:05.519
If you could describe this season and this team in one word, what would it be and why?
00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:19.440
Um, well, I mean, I would say we are special, we are a really special team, and we have so much love and encouragement for one another, and I think truly you can't find that anywhere else.
00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.279
Like it's truly unmatched.
00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:28.000
Um, yeah, we're all incredibly supportive of one another, we're on the same page, and we're all working towards a common goal.
00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:43.919
So I will get to the part of the season now that was incredibly special, like you mentioned, um, and the reason for it, because you played a huge role in this team going down to Florida for the SEC championship tournament.
00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:55.200
But before we get into the breakdown of the week and how it all went, can you set the stage for everybody as to what an SEC golf tournament looks like?
00:09:55.519 --> 00:10:01.360
Because each round, well, I guess you could say the first half and the second half of the week look different.
00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:08.000
And so what how you start out playing and then kind of how you finish playing, what the breakdown there looks like for you all.
00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:11.759
Yeah, I mean, an SEC golf championship is a really long week.
00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:15.360
Um, probably one of the biggest weeks in college golf.
00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:20.559
Um, so yeah, like we get there and normally have a travel day.
00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:23.120
Um, the next day is a practice round.
00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:27.440
Um so it normally takes about five hours to play the practice round.
00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:31.919
It's just working out and mapping out the golf course, and then you practice afterwards.
00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:34.960
And then following that, you have three rounds of stroke play.
00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:44.080
So um you have to get into the top eight to obviously seed yourself and uh get a spot into the match play.
00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:47.279
And then you have three rounds of match play.
00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:53.679
Um, and the first and second rounds of match play are 36 holes, so they're on the same day.
00:10:53.919 --> 00:10:54.240
Yes.
00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:57.279
Um, so yeah, it's it's an extremely long week.
00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:02.720
Um so we have to be very like accountable of, you know, obviously our recovery and our rest.
00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:05.279
And I think we did a great job of that.
00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:05.759
Yeah.
00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:07.120
Yeah, I'd say so.
00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:19.120
Um so that's a that's a great segue into breaking down the week because I think it is important that we note that every team plays those first three rounds, and then from there it goes to quarterfinals, semifinals, and then the finals.
00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:19.360
Yeah.
00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:26.720
Um, so let's insert Tennessee into all of this because heading into the SUC Championship week, Tennessee rate eight ranked 18th nationally.
00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:34.080
And after Friday, day one of competition, the team was tied for 10th place after posting a four over par 284.
00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:48.639
What was the message to the team after day one to stay composed, stay locked in, and know that you still had a lot more competition before the final eight were determined going into match play?
00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:52.320
Yeah, I think after round one, you really just want to see where you're at.
00:11:52.399 --> 00:12:05.039
And we had like a good team discussion afterwards, and you know, our head coach, Coach D always sets us on the right track and you know gets us to the mindset of which we want to be and what we really need to focus on.
00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:11.919
And I think round two is you know, it's moving day, so um, there's more pressure off of you.
00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:18.080
So um, yeah, I feel like I played a lot better that day, but every everyone in the team played their part.
00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:26.159
And um, I mean, Bibi had an amazing birdie put on on the last round of SECs to get us a spot into the match play.
00:12:26.559 --> 00:12:28.320
So yeah, everyone did a great job.
00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:34.000
I have to shout out your freshman, Madison Messer, too, because she showed no nerves in her atmosphere.
00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:42.000
Yeah, she played amazing, she played unbelievable, and she earned a team best two under par, 68 in round one.
00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:49.840
How impressive was Madison's performance, not just in that first day, but for the whole week and being able to contribute in a big way for this team.
00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:53.120
Yeah, I mean, she has just been a solid rock for all of us.
00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:56.639
Um, she's such an amazing, natural, talented player.
00:12:56.799 --> 00:13:00.720
Um, I think everyone in the team is inspires to be like her.
00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:06.320
I mean, she's so calm out there and she's just wonderful to watch on the on the golf course.
00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:09.120
I I really enjoy playing golf with her as well.
00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:18.720
And um, yeah, I I can't wait to see, you know, what else she does and you know, with her career while she's here at Tennessee because I mean she's only a freshman.
00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.120
Right.
00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:23.279
And she has achieved an immense amount of things already.
00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.919
So I can't wait to see what the future opens for her.
00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:28.559
You were key to Tennessee's success on Saturday as well.
00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:36.320
The team posted five under par, a 275, which marked a nine-stroke improvement from Friday's opening round performance.
00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:41.840
What do you think helped click for that team on Saturday that you guys were able to do so well?
00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:49.440
Um, I mean, we had like a team chat before the round, and we were like, you know, everyone, let's just fight today.
00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:52.080
It's moving day, give it your role.
00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:58.480
And I think I have like a way of like I need to like settle more into the round.
00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:07.360
So, like once I got round one out of the way, then I was able to fully be myself and to have a couple of free swings out there and and to play a lot better, yeah.
00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:16.159
Yeah, and play a little bit more with confidence because you got that first one under your belt, and it's like, okay, now I know how everything feels, and now I can go out there and, like you mentioned, play free.
00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:16.639
Exactly.
00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:22.720
So heading into day three, Tennessee was tied for eighth place and needed a top eight finish to advance to match play, like you talked about.
00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:28.559
And thanks to another standout performance from Madison, once again the team propelled into sixth place to finish stroke play.
00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:28.799
Yeah.
00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:33.840
When you officially earned a spot in match play, did the energy shift for this group?
00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:35.600
Did the mindset shift for this group?
00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:38.639
What was what was the morale like going into match play?
00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:42.399
We were so excited, so energetic.
00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:45.360
And our team is amazing at match play.
00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:52.320
We um did like a Lady Volk Cup, sort of just for practice before we played SEC.
00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.080
So we'd like to play against each other.
00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.559
Okay.
00:14:54.720 --> 00:15:09.120
Um, and I think that was really, really helpful going into SECs, and that's kind of what gave us that like kind of mindset, like aggressive mindset that like, okay, now we're ready to have some fun and to, you know, beat some people.
00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:11.200
Yeah, and what did you ever?
00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:24.720
Because now that we're in match play, you had your quarterfinals against Oklahoma, which you took care of business pretty easily, being them four to one, but you had to turn around that same day and play your semifinals match against Texas AM.
00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:35.200
How were you guys able to regroup so quickly and lock back in for a second time in what I'm sure was a long day in order to secure a spot in the championship round?
00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:39.120
Yeah, I think this team, we really just have a lot of fight in us.
00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:43.519
And um honestly, we took everything very seriously.
00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:46.960
Like we had no doubt that we like were gonna make it through.
00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:50.159
Like we were not gonna let anyone beat us.
00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.879
And we just took the day very seriously.
00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:59.120
Like we had a light meal before round two started, and then we were just like, okay, I'll see you out there.
00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:02.240
I'll because we always wave at each other on the golf course.
00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:11.440
Um, I think also just keeping that energy up and that enthusiasm, the other teams would see that, and they would obviously feel a little bit threatened.
00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:11.840
Right.
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:18.080
Um, because of yeah, how much care we have for one another and how positive our energy is.
00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:30.960
So now the day has come and the number 18 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols are going up against the number eight Auburn Tigers in the championship round with an SEC championship on the line.
00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.440
Yeah.
00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:39.360
What emotions were you feeling, were the team feeling as you head into this final round of the tournament?
00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:49.360
Yeah, I mean, I don't think anyone on the team was nervous at all because um I think we weren't really favored to win.
00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:52.320
Like we were seen as the underdogs coming in.
00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:56.000
Um, and I think that's where their mistake was.
00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:58.399
They really overestimated us.
00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:03.279
And um I don't think they expected what we had in store for them.
00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:14.079
So um, yeah, I'm really proud of the fight that we had that day, and we knew like we had the self-belief, and we knew that we could pull this thing off.
00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:17.839
And yeah, I'm so proud and so glad that we did.
00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.559
Yeah, it's it was an incredible moment, yeah.
00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:30.799
So I want you to set the scene for me because when I tell you, like down in our office downstairs, every TV was turned on to the SEC network.
00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:33.359
We were following you guys all morning.
00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:40.319
There was so much excitement in the building on campus for what we were watching unfold, which was history.
00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:40.720
Yeah.
00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:45.440
So when the round was tied up, two to two, it all came down to you.
00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:45.839
Yeah.
00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.519
No pressure, right?
00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:49.839
You have a lot of pressure in this meeting.
00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:53.359
And after hole 16, the lead was only one stroke for you.
00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:58.000
What do you remember about how you were feeling heading into the 17th hole?
00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:03.039
Yeah, I mean, I had lost the 16th hole, um, which was okay.
00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.400
I mean, I was still one up going into the 17th hole.
00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:09.359
And so obviously it's her turn to play first.
00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:16.880
So she hits a three-word off the T-Box, and I pull out my driver, and I was just gonna be very aggressive on the hole.
00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:23.200
And I turned to my assistant coach, Coach Anna Newell, and I said, like, I'm making birdie here.
00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:26.160
And she just turned to me and she was like, Okay, let's do it.
00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:29.599
So um my opponent hit a great shot.
00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:32.720
She hit it to about eight feet, seven, eight feet.
00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.960
Um, and her team was going crazy.
00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:42.400
So obviously it it's kind of hard to just like block out that noise and focus back on what you need to do, you know.
00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:47.599
Um, but you know, my coach and I we worked out the shot really well.
00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.799
We had a great number.
00:18:48.960 --> 00:19:02.799
She knew that my arms were a little bit pumped because of all the adrenaline, and uh yeah, I knew I was gonna hit a little bit further, so we we um went back a club and I hit less club and hit a great shot to about three feet.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:09.920
And in that moment I was so pumped because I knew like we're gonna get this, we're gonna win the SEC championship.
00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:19.039
And um she just happened to miss her putt, and obviously there was a lot of pressure on that three-footer, but I I knew like I put these every day.
00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:24.799
This is what I practice for, and this is I'm doing this for my team and for for Tennessee.
00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:30.000
And yeah, when I made that put, so much relief I didn't know what to do for myself.
00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:37.599
I just dropped the putter and I ran straight to the team, and it was just an incredible moment to share with them, yeah.
00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:54.000
There was so much intensity watching that final hole, and it was so impressive for you, being only a sophomore, to have to follow up your opponent, and she made some great shots on that hole.
00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.559
I did, yeah.
00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:58.240
But you just said, Oh, you can do that, watch me do it too.
00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:58.960
No problem.
00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:11.519
A little bit better, just a little bit better, and then you had the title clinching putt to win Tennessee Lady Vol Women's Golf, their first SEC championship title.
00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:19.359
To have that moment with your team, to celebrate with them, like does it feel almost like a fever dream?
00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:22.799
Like, don't pitch me, don't wake me up because this is like the most incredible moment ever.
00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:28.079
Yeah, I mean, probably one of the biggest achievements to be a part of in my whole life.
00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:30.160
Um, I mean, it's huge.
00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:38.160
It's huge to be a part of that history and to have our faces go up on the walls around here.
00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:49.759
Um, I couldn't be prouder, and I couldn't be more grateful to be a part of the team that I'm currently in, and you know, to be under Coach D's leadership.
00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:56.400
And, you know, just the whole energy and the whole environment is just amazing here at Rocky Top.
00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:59.359
And yeah, I really couldn't be more thankful and grateful.
00:20:59.440 --> 00:20:59.599
Yeah.
00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:10.960
It was so special to watch because I know how hard this team has worked, not just this season, but for the past two, three, four seasons leading up to a moment like this.
00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:13.279
Uh, what how did the team celebrate?
00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:19.279
What was the celebration like uh the rest of the day, the the flight back home to Rocky Top?
00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:22.960
Um, what did it what just how were you taking it all in with your teammates?
00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:30.000
Yeah, I mean, this season has been, you know, a real outstanding one for all of us.
00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:34.160
I mean, we had um we set a program record.
00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:39.440
We had four wins this whole season, and yeah, so that's also another amazing thing.
00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:44.960
But really how we celebrated because we had to catch a flight on the way back home.
00:21:45.119 --> 00:22:07.279
So we're just showing off our medals and um yeah, when we got back, uh Coach D's husband was there with some flowers, and yeah, it was really nice to come back to a family environment and Yeah, but the rest of the time, I just couldn't be more happy to show my medal and just walk around with my t-shirt on.
00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:20.000
It's so incredible to think of like how it started for you guys in the tournament to how you guys finished, because there was no doubt in any of y'all's mind that it could be done.
00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:29.359
And it would be done no matter what position you sat in, where you were having to play as an underdog one day, or you felt in control the whole day.
00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:32.160
You guys never took your foot off the gas for the whole week.
00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:39.759
And for you in particular, you were just one of two Lady Vols to win all three of your matches in the match play portion of the tournament.
00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:45.119
What is it about that part or that style of play that fits into your game so well?
00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:53.839
Yeah, I think I'm a very aggressive player, and I think my coaches know that they also did a great job with who plays who.
00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:56.160
So I think they seeded that very well.
00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.880
Um, but that's also the thing that they've told me.
00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:05.119
Like in stroke play, they'll be like, Kyra, you can't go for that flag because there's a lot of danger around that flag.
00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.720
You need to play more conservative.
00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:10.240
And in match play, I just feel like I can be really aggressive.
00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:15.279
And um, I also just yeah, I don't let my opponent see through me as well.
00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:20.559
Um, you know, very when it's getting down to business, I'll make sure that I'll do it right.
00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:26.000
At what point in the week did you realize okay, this team can actually do something really special?
00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:38.480
I felt like when since whenever we got there, like I just had a feeling, and you know, everything that happened during the week, it was like that trophy was meant for us.
00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:53.759
Because I mean, with Sophie Angerseth's um shot in round two of her match play, um, she was like one down on the 18th hole, and she had an iron shot over the water, and it like landed in a sprinkler.
00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:57.119
And if it missed the sprinkler, it would have gone in the water.
00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:04.480
And thankfully the sprinkler head was there, and you know, she made that putt when she got a drop off of there.
00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:08.079
So she ended up winning the hole and ended up winning the whole match.
00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:19.680
So um, I mean, ever since that happened, like it was just meant fully for us, and we ended up taking that sprinkler head home because yeah, it's on display now at the facility.
00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:21.200
That's amazing.
00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.640
It's our good luck charm.
00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:24.400
Yeah, that's so amazing.
00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:24.960
I love that.
00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:30.480
A little uh memento from an unexpected memento from the title win.
00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:38.799
Um to be a part of the group, to win Tennessee Women's Golf first conference title championship, to be a part of that history.
00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.400
What does that mean to you?
00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:44.079
Yeah, I mean, it's really a privilege.
00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:51.920
I I think I get really emotional about it because, you know, this is what I've dreamed about for a very, very long time.
00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:57.200
And I absolutely love being a part of this whole environment, the whole team.
00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:59.359
I love representing UT.
00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:07.279
And yeah, obviously it's it's just amazing having to carry um this like title.
00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:12.960
And yeah, I couldn't be prouder of myself and the whole team and all of our efforts.
00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.559
Where's the medal right now?
00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.359
Do you have a display?
00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:17.920
It's in my room, hanging up on the wall.
00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.559
Amazing.
00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:21.359
I can see it when I when I walk in every time.
00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:25.359
Every morning you wake up and you're like, oh, I'm an SEC champion.
00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.599
Yeah, and I have that t-shirt as well.
00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.720
That's amazing.
00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.799
It's it's yeah, it's amazing.
00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.079
I love having it there.
00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.519
So well deserved.
00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:36.480
Uh, this roster is also only eight women.
00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:40.559
It's a very small team, but I can imagine a very close-knit group.
00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:40.880
Yes.
00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:48.160
To be able to do it with this specific group of young women, what did it mean for you to celebrate a moment so special with them?
00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.400
Yeah, I mean, it was exhilarating.
00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:53.680
I mean, these young women are my best friends.
00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.680
Like, we do everything together.
00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.920
We eat, train.
00:25:58.079 --> 00:26:01.839
I wouldn't say we sleep together, but we sleep in the same dorms together.
00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:08.480
And um, yeah, see, I see we see each other like every minute of the day.
00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:12.559
So just to like run to them and just to be like laughing.
00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:14.559
I mean, I didn't know what my face was doing.
00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:29.119
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry because there was just a lot of emotions and feelings, and just to have finally have done it because I mean, ever since I got here, the idea was to win an SEC championship.
00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.960
And yeah, now we've done that.
00:26:31.359 --> 00:26:33.920
Now you can check that off the list off the box.
00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:42.240
Uh, when you look back on what an unforgettable week it was down in Florida, is there one moment uh that stands out to you the most from it?
00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:42.880
Yeah.
00:26:42.960 --> 00:27:02.319
Um, yeah, after uh one of the days or rounds of golf, um, the whole team and I we went to go uh get some ice cream and we went to this really cool, like fancy ice cream shop, and two of the girls got like this weird blue cookie monster ice cream.
00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:08.720
And when they ate it, their whole like mouths were just blue, and it was just hilarious.
00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:11.039
Yeah, it was a really fun memory.
00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:29.119
And it shows so well like how like this group just loves to have fun and be together, like in the height of a moment this big, you guys are just going to go get ice cream and enjoying time together, and I think that like that sisterhood shows up on the course together when you have those relationships and those bonds.
00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.519
Yeah.
00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:42.799
On that note, uh last week Tennessee Women's Golf learned that they will be playing in the Waco regional for the uh NCAA regional round of the postseason, May 11th through the 13th next week.
00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:51.440
How much confidence does winning an SEC championship title go into how you look at the rest of the postseason ahead of you guys?
00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:57.440
Yeah, I think we definitely have more confidence in, you know, ourselves and one another.
00:27:57.599 --> 00:28:03.920
And I think we'll get a lot of looks when we show up there, and you know, people will be more intimidated by us.
00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:08.960
Um, but yeah, I think this gives us a lot of momentum, especially in our preparation.
00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:15.440
Um, I mean, we we pretty much know what it takes now to win a huge championship.
00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:22.319
So I think we're gonna really just go of what we learned at SECs and use that now when we play at regionals and nationals.
00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:26.799
This is the Lady Vol's fourth consecutive NCAA regional appearance.
00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:32.319
You obviously experienced one last year and you also experienced an NCAA championship as well.
00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:43.440
For you to have that experience and for the team to have that experience, knowing what it takes, how much does that help you guys as you picture what the next couple of weeks look like for this team?
00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:53.759
Yeah, I mean, I think right now at regionals it's just about getting that seed, you know, getting that spot in the national championship.
00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:57.200
And then I think we can go off from there.
00:28:57.279 --> 00:29:01.839
And yeah, I think there's some really good things waiting for us at California.
00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.319
Oh, yeah.
00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:04.559
In Omni La Costa Resort.
00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:06.240
That place is so nice.
00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:11.200
It's I've only heard great things from our videographer Michael, who was there last year.
00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:13.119
He's like, I'm looking forward to going back.
00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.480
I'm like, I bet you are.
00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:17.200
It's a it's an amazing holiday place for sure.
00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:17.680
I bet.
00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:21.119
You don't even feel like uh you're playing the national championship now.
00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.400
Yeah, I'm on a holiday day.
00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.359
I'm on vacation.
00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.200
Oh, wait.
00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:26.559
I do have to play a bottom later.
00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:28.240
Yeah, we'll get to that.
00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:31.200
Okay, and just a little bit about you as we wrap up.
00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:36.559
You were born and raised in South Africa, which is a beautiful place if you've never been.
00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:40.559
I've only been through the Vault Leaders Academy, but uh you're from Joe Burg, right?
00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:51.440
Um, what was it about Tennessee that made you ready to take the next step in your golf career and move to the States to Rocky Top to play for Tennessee?
00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:55.200
Yeah, I mean, I really loved Knoxville.
00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:59.599
I loved the city and I loved the chats that I had with my coaches.
00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:12.240
I thought that they were so welcoming and, you know, they loved me as a person, but I also knew that they were going to push me to my best self and to be the best golfer that I can be.
00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:15.279
I mean, our golf facility is just amazing.
00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:20.000
The views we have there, and you can play whatever shot you really want to play.
00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:31.599
So if you need a practice on a specific like area of your game or like on a Bermuda green or you know, another type of grass, you can because we have all of that there at the facility.
00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:38.559
I mean, yeah, just the whole like environment was just amazing, and just the team culture as well.
00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.599
Yeah, I loved it.
00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:44.400
What was the biggest adjustment for you moving from South Africa to the States?
00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:47.920
Yeah, I mean, there was quite a lot.
00:30:48.160 --> 00:31:06.079
Um I think it's just like not that it's a bad thing, but just like the the accent thing, and yeah, I know my accent can be a little bit um different, but yeah, I think just getting used to like the new culture here, um, new food as well.
00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:11.119
Um, South Africa, not too bad, but we have amazing food down there.
00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:14.720
Um, so I think that was probably one of the hardest things.
00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:21.519
Your head coach, uh Diana Cantu, obviously was a Lady Vol here as well from 2006 to 2010.
00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:28.559
How has she embodied what the Lady Vol legacy represents to you and helped you understand what it means to represent the Lady Vol Power Tea?
00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:34.240
Yeah, I mean, she's a perfect like representation of what it means to be a true Lady Vol.
00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:40.559
I mean, she always says to us that we need to um leave a place better than we found it.
00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:43.359
And you know, that really sticks with me a lot.
00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:47.279
And everything she does, I mean, she's so grateful.
00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:54.000
Um, she's also so what's humble, yeah, that's the word for it.
00:31:54.319 --> 00:32:02.160
Um yeah, she's she's amazing, and yeah, I'm I don't know, I'm running out of words for that.
00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:09.680
What's one thing in particular that she brings to the program that most people don't get to see or know about her personally?
00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:17.759
She's really energetic and enthusiastic, and also you can go to her for anything that you want to talk about.
00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:24.640
You know, if you're having trouble with something or if you're having the best day of your life, she will be there for you no matter what.
00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:27.279
And she's just an overall great person to talk to.
00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:37.920
Overall, looking back on the past two years, I know we're not like fully finished with year two yet because we still have more competition to go, but how would you describe what the past two years have been like for you here at Tennessee?
00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:43.839
I think it's been, you know, such a big learning experience for me.
00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:49.920
Um, I just can't believe that how far I've come like as a person and as a player.
00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:58.799
Um, there's so many things that you know I've learned and had the privilege of experiencing, and um, yeah, I couldn't be more thankful for that growth.
00:32:59.119 --> 00:33:11.920
When you look back in five or ten years from now on this team, on this experience that you have, um what are you gonna remember the most about your time on Rocky Talk?
00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:18.799
Just doing like everyday things with the girls and having those special like one-on-one moments with the girls.
00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:24.559
I mean, we have a lot of laughs and jokes, and everyone is just so comfortable with one another.
00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:27.759
So I think I'm really gonna miss that team culture.
00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:32.000
And yeah, I mean, I just love being a part of this every single day.
00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:48.079
Well, it's so exciting that you're only a sophomore, and you have so much more golf here to play this season and next year and the year after that, and you know, Kyra is a part of the Volleyers Academy, so we're going to Rwanda together this summer in June.
00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:54.240
So um, you just embody so much of what it means to be a lady of all, and we can't thank you again for the time.
00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:58.319
And we're so looking forward to seeing what you guys do in the month of May, these next couple of weeks.
00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.680
So thank you so much.
00:33:59.920 --> 00:34:00.720
Thank you.
