Why Jillian Hollingshead's resurgence is crucial for Lady Vols basketball

Jillian Hollingshead caught the ball on the low block.

Her back was to the basket, and she started dribbling. The 6-foot-5 junior forward backed down her Arkansas defender, looking over her right shoulder. She created the space and took a drop step to her left.

Hollingshead went up and finished, her movements strong, confident and aggressive as she scored the first of her 14 points in Tennessee's 81-55 win over the Razorbacks. It's a version of her the Lady Vols have needed, and she proved it's still there with her double-double.

"The biggest thing, I think she needed it for her confidence," Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper said. "I think she needed to see it in a game, have some positive plays, some physical plays. Obviously, we know she can do those things. Now, hopefully, she's reminded she can do them in a game. There's no doubt going down the stretch, we need everybody . . . seeing that from her tonight, it's just really good for our team."

Hollingshead added 10 rebounds and three assists to her 66.7% shooting. She drew five fouls, the second-most on the team, and was 6-for-7 from the free-throw line.

Her performance was a step in the right direction after she struggled to find her role this season. She was a starter until missing Tennessee's game Dec. 6 against Middle Tennessee State because of a concussion. Her minutes fluctuated, as did her performances, and she averaged only eight minutes in the five games leading up to Monday.

"I think players have to understand, sometimes it's not easy, and they've got to work," Harper said. "And if you feel like you're in a slump or you're maybe not in a good stretch, you've got to get yourself out of it by staying the course, staying focused on what you need to do and working hard."

Hollingshead said that in the past few practices, she worked on being more aggressive and using her strength. She knew they would have a size advantage against Arkansas, and she was prepared to use it.

"Jill always puts in hard work," said guard Jewel Spear, who had 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the win. "No matter if she's scoring or not, she's going to impact the game. So just to see the ball go in the hoop for her was very special and it just speaks to the depth we have on this team."

Hollingshead likes to face up and shoot from midrange, and she was able to do that against the Razorbacks, but she also posted up strong and found opportunities on the block.

Senior forward Rickea Jackson, who scored a team-high 21 points and had nine rebounds and two assists, said they push Hollingshead daily, reminding her how much she's capable of.

"I feel like we as teammates stay on Jill, telling her, 'You have so much potential,' " Jackson said. "She's such a great teammate and she takes that every day . . . A night like this was just coming for her sooner rather than later, because she puts in the hard work every day in practice."

Hollingshead played 23 minutes, tying the most she has had in SEC play, and was plus-15. Her four made field goals were the most since her double-double against Troy on Nov. 19, when she had six. It was one step, but it was in the right direction — and her resurgence could give Tennessee the edge it needs in the final month of the regular season.

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Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jillian Hollingshead's resurgence is crucial for Lady Vols basketball