Tennessee softball lost one of its young pitchers to the transfer portal and will likely have to oppose her later in her career. After deciding to depart from the Lady Vols after her freshman season, Kailey Plumlee committed to UT’s arch rival, Alabama, on Wednesday morning.
Plumlee, a left-handed pitcher, will have four years of eligibility remaining. She did not appear in a single game for Tennessee this past season.
Plumlee was a highly rated in-state recruit out of high school. From Carthage, Tennessee, where she starred for Gordonsville, Plumlee was ranked as the No. 22 recruit in the class by On3, No. 9 pitcher and No. 2 player from the state.
HELLO BAMA NATION
thank you 🐘 @AlabamaSB @lmcmahon7 @UACoachMurphy @KaylaBraud1 @adamarbour #rolltide pic.twitter.com/HkUxaAEoeD— Kailey Plumlee (@KaileyPlumlee) June 10, 2026
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“I chose the University of Tennessee for many reasons,” Plumlee said to UT at the time of her signing. “The first is that they are family-oriented. My family is the most important thing to me other than my faith. The second reason I chose UT is because it felt like home, I felt safe and supported by all the staff, coaches and future teammates. And last but definitely not least is my faith. The coaches and players encourage each other to prioritize their faith. With God all things are possible! He is the one person that will always be there and has always been there so keeping my faith a priority is really big for me.”
Plumlee is one of two Lady Vols to announce their intention to enter the transfer portal after the team’s WCWS run. She joins outfielder Saviya Morgan, who just completed her sophomore season and has two years of eligibility. Morgan has yet to announce her next stop.
Tennessee is yet to bring in a transfer itself, as well. However, the Lady Vols only lost three players due to eligibility from last year’s WCWS team, All-American pitcher Karlyn Pickens and a duo of reserve bats, Jackie Kirkpatrick and Camryn Sarvis.
