By Isaac Hillis
MTN Sports Reporter
March 17, 2021
The MTSU women's basketball team received an interesting draw for their first round of the NCAA Tournament: The Tennessee Lady Vols.
The game is an obvious "eye-raiser" for the Lady Raiders for a number of reasons. Most notably, Anastasia Hayes gets an opportunity to play against a team she used to play for. Hayes was dismissed from the Lady Vols in 2018 by former coach Holly Warlick after violating unspecified team rules.
Now, Hayes is second in the nation in scoring with 26.5 points-per-game. She will lead a Lady Raiders team that will be a huge underdog this weekend.
“They may see us as an underdog but we aren't scared we are ready to play,” said Hayes.
MTSU head coach Rick Insell will undoubtedly need Hayes to have an impact.
“I have never seen a player that can do what Anastasia can," said Insell. "She is un-guardable.”
The Lady Vols comes into the tournament with a 17-7 record this season, including wins against South Carolina, Arkansas, and Indiana.
The game between MTSU and Tennessee is Sunday at 1 p.m. on ABC.