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CINDERELLA SEASON, A: THE LADY VOLS FIGHT BACK (TV)

Summary

This documentary chronicles the roller-coaster 1996-1997 championship quest of the University of Tennessee womenÕs basketball team, the Lady Volunteers, as the players overcome their worst regular-season record in a decade to claim back-to-back National Colleagiate Athletic Association titles. The documentary follows the team through the season, showing scenes of coaching, practice, games, and downtime as well as interviews and clips of television coverage. The players featured are: Niya Butts, Abby Conklin, Kyra Elzy, Misty Greene, Chamique Holdsclaw, Tiffani Johnson, Kellie Jolly, Brynae Laxton, Laurie Milligan, La Shonda Stephens, and Pashen Thompson. Head coach Pat Summitt is assisted by Al Brown, Mickie De Moss, and Holly Warlick. The program opens with the first practice of the season on October 15, 1996. During the first week of rigorous, early morning practice, starting point guard Kellie Jolly tears a ligament in her knee. Jolly immediately undergoes surgery and begins an extended period of recovery and physical therapy during which she is not able to practice or compete with her team. Both Jolly and her teammates are heartbroken when, one month later, the Lady Vols win their first game against Austin Peay without her. The team then travels to Ruston, Louisiana, to compete against Louisiana Tech; in spite of a disheartening loss, Summitt commends her players for their extraordinary effort. Next, Summitt takes her son Tyler to her home town of Henrietta, where they visit the family farm and local high school. Summitt reflects on her youth on the farm and the basketball court as she spends time with family and friends. By December 15, the Lady Vols have slipped from second to fourth rank, and they prepare for a game against the first-ranked, undefeated team of Stanford. After a tough game, the depressed players gather for a locker-room meeting during which Summitt gives the first of a series of speeches that will continue throughout the season concerning the importance of cooperation, intense concentration, and a competitive spirit. Summitt also has a private conversation with Conklin, whom she chastises for lack of team playing. Next, when Conklin returns home to visit her family, she and her parents discuss her childhood passion for basketball, the family business, and her college recruitment. Although the team has slipped to sixth rank, it finishes 1996 with a win against Texas Tech. The players are given a five-day break for Christmas, during which time star player Holdsclaw returns to the housing projects in which she grew up, where she recalls fond memories with family members and neighbors. In early January, the team goes on the road and suffers a series of losses to Arkansas, the University of Connecticut, and Old Dominion University, as well as a rematch with Louisiana Tech. The players are devastated, and Summitt is furious, but they are heartened by the fact that JollyÕs leg has recovered, and she prepares to rejoin the team. The Lady Vols end the season with their worst record in ten years and lose Milligan because of a leg injury, but they still qualify for the NCAA tournament. Although other players, including Jolly and Holdsclaw, suffer minor injuries, the team performs well in the semi-final matches. The players' spirits begin to lift, and Summitt continues to emphasize the impact that mental preparation and determination can have on their games. The program concludes with scenes from TennesseeÕs triumphant championship games against Connecticut and Old Dominion and the team's ensuing celebration.

Details

  • NETWORK: HBO
  • DATE: March 26, 1998 7:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:17:25
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:59705
  • GENRE: Public Affairs/Documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Sports; Basketball; Women athletes; National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament; Women's Collection - Sports
  • SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 1998
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Sheila Nevins … Executive Producer
  • Ross Greenburg … Executive Producer
  • David Hoffman … Co-Executive Producer
  • Jacqueline Glover … Supervising Producer
  • Alpert, Jon (See also: Alpert, Jonny) … Director
  • De Leo, Maryann … Director
  • Debbie Antonelli … Announcer, Reporter
  • Bonnie Bernstein … Announcer, Reporter
  • John Castleberry … Announcer, Reporter
  • Tom Dore … Announcer, Reporter
  • Mimi Griffin … Announcer, Reporter
  • Gus Johnson … Announcer, Reporter
  • Bill Land … Announcer, Reporter
  • Rebecca Lobo … Announcer, Reporter
  • Ann Meyers … Announcer, Reporter
  • Mike Patrick … Announcer, Reporter
  • Robin Roberts … Announcer, Reporter
  • Larry Rosen … Announcer, Reporter
  • Dave Woloshin … Announcer, Reporter
  • Al Brown
  • Niya Butts
  • Abby Conklin
  • De Moss, Mickie
  • Kyra Elzy
  • Misty Greene
  • Chamique Holdsclaw
  • Tiffani Johnson
  • Kellie Jolly
  • Brynae Laxton
  • Laurie Milligan
  • Tyler Mitchell
  • La Shonda Stephens
  • Pat Summitt
  • Pashen Thompson
  • Holly Warlick