Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell is trying to pull off a ‘Hail Mary’ that would be huge for Tennessee
It’s been a very productive offseason so far for head coach Kim Caldwell and the Lady Vols, but there’s still work to be done. Tennessee will continue to bolster its roster in the coming days and weeks.
It’s been a productive offseason for Kim Caldwell and the Lady Vols as the program has landed seven transfer additions so far.
But while it’s been a fruitful offseason to this point for Tennessee, it hasn’t been all good news.
Earlier this month, Caldwell received some bad news when 2026 five-star signee Oliviyah Edwards asked for her release from the program.
Edwards, a top-five recruit according to Rivals, is a 6-foot-3 forward from Washington.
“I’ve decided to decommit from The University of Tennessee and reopen my recruitment,” wrote Edwards in a message announcing her decision. “I have officially been released from the university. Knoxville was incredible from the moment I first stepped on campus. I’m so thankful for the love and support from Lady Vol fans — you all made this journey special in a way I’ll never forget. Your dedication to the program is truly unmatched. This decision was incredibly hard, but after deep conversations with my family, I know it’s what’s best for my future.”
Kim Caldwell isn’t giving up on Oliviyah Edwards
Caldwell isn’t giving up on landing Edwards just because the five-star forward requested her release.
According to VolQuest’s Austin Price, Caldwell and the Lady Vols are going to “continue to swing” at Edwards.
“They’re going to continue to swing at Big O, Oliviyah Edwards,” said Price Wednesday on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will. “She’s taken a couple of visits to South Carolina, Texas, and Louisville. They’re going to continue to swing there and see if they can throw a Hail Mary and get her back in the boat again. To me, you’re playing with house money. I think most people have [assumed she’s] gone. If [Tennessee] could pull a Hail Mary here and get her back in the fold, it would be a huge coup for Caldwell.”
There are obviously no shortage of suitors for Edwards, a talented forward with elite size.
But maybe she’ll see the roster Caldwell is building and decide she wants to be part of the Lady Vols program after all.
It doesn’t sound likely at this point, but Caldwell is at least going to try to get the five-star recruit back in the commit column for Tennessee.