Last Friday Tennessee lost to Missouri 79-71 in the SEC tourney quarterfinals but was still able to clinch an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Volunteers have now received a top-5 seed in 5 of the past 6 years and claimed the school’s 3rd straight NCAA tourney bid. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Tennessee cheerleader Sarah McGregor about growing up in Knoxville.
photo credit: Ally Robinson
You are from Knoxville: what made you choose Tennessee? Growing up in this college town I went to football/basketball games with my family. The environment is like no other in Vols Nation.
You have been cheering for most of your life: how did you 1st get into it, and what is the best part? I started in gymnastics and then got into cheering around age 8. The best part is the lifelong friends that I have made.
You are majoring in kinesiology: why did you choose that subject? It is like exercise science: specifically the study of human body movement. It can lead me into so many different kinds of careers.
What is the post-graduation plan? I plan on applying to physical therapy school this summer.
1 of your hobbies is sailing: do you have a favorite sailing destination? The British Virgin Islands! My family and I have been there 3 times and I cannot wait to go back because it is so beautiful.
You are a 2-time UCA Game Day National Champion: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? It was surreal! I had never been in a position to win something like that. To be wearing Tennessee on my chest while winning a national championship was such an honor. Knowing that we had such a close team who had the same goal made it even more special.
Last Friday in the SEC tourney quarterfinals you lost to Missouri: what is the mood like on campus now that the NCAA tourney is finally here, and is everyone sad because Zakai Zeigler tore his ACL vs. Arkansas a couple of weeks ago? Everybody is on spring break so there is not much happening on campus but there is a LOT of excitement on social media. We wish Zakai the best: everyone was so sad when he got injured.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? It revolves around our school schedule. For some tourneys we choose only upperclassmen but this time we are taking 2 freshmen. This is my 1st tourney because COVID messed up my 1st couple of years. We go to a great university and will represent it well.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for Orlando? Nothing special: just supporting the team the best way we know how: by keeping spirits high and getting our fans involved.
Any predictions for the Volunteers on Thursday night vs. Louisiana? I think we will come out with a win and then have another game on Saturday.