Tennessee softball is ready to turn the page and make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. After a regular season filled with highs and lows, head coach Karen Weekly knows exactly what her team needs to do: "flush the season."

The Lady Vols (42-10) are set to host their 21st consecutive NCAA regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, kicking off against Northern Kentucky (26-23) on May 15 at 5:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network. As the No. 7 overall seed, Tennessee is also a top-eight seed for the second straight year—a milestone they hadn't achieved since 2017 before last season. That means if they advance past regionals, they'll have the home-field advantage for two more weekends of super regional action.

Weekly can barely contain her excitement about the atmosphere awaiting her team. "Every year gets better," she said after the NCAA selection show. "This year, to see the way people showed up and showed out for midweek games absolutely blew me away. I know it's going to be a really tough ticket." The coach joked that her phone is already blowing up with ticket requests—a welcome problem for a program that's built a dynasty of postseason hosting.

The environment at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium has become legendary. A couple of years ago, Weekly thought it couldn't get any rowdier or raucous. But this season's midweek crowds have already topped those expectations. The Lady Vols will face a tough regional field that includes No. 26 overall seed Virginia (38-13) and Indiana (42-14), who square off in the second game of the day at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

For seniors like pitcher Karlyn Pickens, this postseason feels especially meaningful. When Tennessee's name was announced during the selection show, the team erupted in cheers—a moment that captured the energy of a squad that's been a top-eight seed every year of their careers. "If you had a great year, doesn't mean you're going to have a great playoffs," Weekly reminded. "If you struggled this year, doesn't mean you're going to struggle in the playoffs."

With that mindset, the Lady Vols are ready to write a new chapter. And with the stands packed and the energy electric, there's no place they'd rather be than right here at home.