Given the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, University of Tennessee softball head coach Karen Weekly could have already walked away from the sport with her Hall of Fame legacy firmly in place. She could have left others to deal with revenue sharing, NIL deals and the constant transfer portal moves.
But Weekly keeps returning to the dugout because of her competitive nature and because of the players who keep her feeling young.
“I love coming to work every day. I love it,” Weekly says. “No matter what is going on in your life, you come and you get to spend time around these guys. Every day, Sage (Mardjetko) greets me with a big smile, and they all do. It’s a privilege to be their coach. It’s a privilege, and I don’t take for granted the faith and trust they put in me and the rest of our staff.”
Since Weekly became the sole head coach of the program in June of 2021 once her husband Ralph retired, Tennessee has remained one of the preeminent powers.
The Lady Vols (47-10) started this season with a program-best 26-0 record and reached No. 1 in the nation. They will be ending it where every program wants to be – in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Tennessee reached the WCWS for the second straight season, third time in four years, and 10th time overall.
Behind their trademark stingy pitching and some timely hitting, the No. 7 Lady Vols advanced by sweeping SEC rival Georgia in the Super Regional to complete a perfect 5-0 run in regional and Super Regional play at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
“Words can’t describe it. It’s just the greatest feeling ever,” Mardjetko says. “This is something you don’t just work for all season, but this is something you dream about when you’re young, playing travel ball. So, just to come out here and play with these girls, and you know, get to say you’re going to the World Series is not something that a lot of people get to do and say.”
Old-school style
Tennessee is still searching for the program’s first national title, which is the lone accomplishment missing from Weekly’s decorated 25-year coaching career at UT. After missing out on winning a title during Monica Abbott’s record-setting career at UT, it would be fitting if the Lady Vols broke through with Karlyn Pickens in the circle.
A generational ace who has been the face of the program for the last four years, Pickens has humbly accepted her role and all the pressure that comes with being expected to perform at a high level every time she enters the circle.
“I’ve never coached an athlete like her,” Weekly says. “Just unbelievable the way she always wants the ball, wants the responsibility.”
In an era of record-breaking offensive production, the Lady Vols have been winning with an old-school feel. They rely on lights-out pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense.
UT’s pitching staff has been the best in the nation all season, boasting an NCAA-leading 1.35 ERA. Pickens (15-7, 1.53 ERA), Mardjetko (14-2, 1.12 ERA), and Erin Nuwer (15-1, 0.99 ERA) can be used interchangeably throughout games, giving the Lady Vols an advantage few other teams can match.
Weekly made a significant change that few coaches make at this stage of the season by shifting her infield defense just before NCAA play began. She moved Ella Dodge from second to third, Emma Clarke from first to second, and put Makenzie Butt at first.
The moves have paid off, with the Lady Vols playing sound defense and Dodge making some fantastic plays at the hot corner in the Super Regionals. Weekly felt like the team was “stuck” and needed the boost.
“I just trust my gut on things,” Weekly says. “It’s not 100%, but the percentage is pretty high. I’ll tell you that when things don’t go well is when I don’t trust my gut, and I just had a gut feeling that this is what we need to do.”
Taking the next step
UT was given the earliest Super Regional series, starting last Thursday and finishing on Friday afternoon before some other series had even begun. The early finish gave the Lady Vols more time to rest and recover before arriving in Oklahoma City.
Weekly soaked in the atmosphere after the Lady Vols clinched their spot, watching her players celebrate on the field before she was doused with water. She performed the Griddy, which has become her tradition the last few years, and hugged as many players as possible.
Earlier this year, Weekly was able to watch her beloved Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl in person with her sisters. Capping this season by hoisting the program’s first WCWS championship trophy in OKC would be the ultimate topper.
“I love it for our seniors to be going (to the WCWS) three out of their four years, and for our freshmen,” Weekly says. “I told them, you have no idea how much fun you’re about to have. There’s no place better to be this time of year, and I’m just excited to go there with this team, and that we get to be together for another couple weeks.”