The Lady Vols were a member of the Southeastern Conference.

In the opening round of the tournament they played a 26–8 Ball State Cardinals team that was making their NCAA tourney debut.

Ball State would go on to win the game 71–55 making history.

The Lady Volunteers had never lost in the first two rounds of the tournament, going 42–0 through the years.

Tennessee also became the first defending champ to lose its opening game in the women's tourney.