Could next season be the year Tennessee softball gets over the hump and claims its first national title?
According to an updated way-too-early top 25 ranking from Softball America, the Lady Vols are going to be in the mix in 2026. Tennessee clocks in as the No. 7 team in the country, good for fourth in the SEC.
To no surprise, Texas Tech, the 2025 runner-up, tops the list. The Red Raiders went heavy in the transfer portal this off-season, including the addition of third baseman Taylor Pannell out of Tennessee. This sparked controversy around potential tampering and sparked Lady Vols head coach Karen Weekly to fire back on X.
Behind Texas Tech sits reigning champion Texas and perennial juggernaut Oklahoma. The Lady Vols won series on the road against both programs but lost to both in the Women’s College World Series this past year. Oregon and Florida State make up the remainder of the top five with Arkansas coming in at sixth.
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Tennessee’s position inside the top eight put it in line to return to the WCWS. The top eight teams in the country who can survive the regional and super regional rounds advance to Oklahoma City. The Lady Vols have made the trip nine times, including championship series appearances in 2007 and 2013, but are yet to win a national title. This past year, UT was one of the final four teams remaining before getting caught by the Longhorns.
In an attempt to claim the throne, Tennessee returns the two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens for her senior season. The Lady Vols also bring in the likes of two-way star Maddi Rutan from EKU and Boise State hitters Sophia Knight and Makenzie Butt. This pairs well with an impressive high school recruiting class.
Tennessee also returns pitchers Sage Mardjetko and Erin Nuwer and hitters Alannah Leach, Emma Clarke, Saviya Morgan, Ella Dodge and Gabby Leach as well as others.
