SYRACUSE -ÊIt was just a few days ago that Wawasee coach Kem Zolman talked about how tough it was going to be to turn over daughter Shanna to another coach, but he said there was no one he would feel better about "giving" her to than University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt.

The reality of that came one step closer Wednesday afternoon when Shanna signed her national letter-of-intent to play for Tennessee at the Wawasee gym in front of family, friends, fans, and media.

During the public letter signing, Shanna talked about growing up wanting to be a Volunteer.

"It's been a dream of mine since I was a kid (to play for Tennessee)," Shanna said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to fulfill a dream."

She called the Warrior fans the "best in the state" and noted, "I'm still a Lady Warrior for another year... I'm really looking forward to my senior year."

Shanna seemed at ease with the crush of media and the stands full of onlookers.

"Thanks for sharing this special moment in my life," she said.

A few minutes later, Tennessee coach Summitt spoke to the media during a conference call to Wawasee High School.

She had these words for Shanna in regards to the remainder of her senior year: "I would tell her to listen to her coach (which happens to be father Kem) and really enjoy her senior year. Just to relax and enjoy playing basketball, I want to see her have a great senior year. We are sold on Shanna Zolman. I want her to know she has absolutely nothing to prove to us."

It was hard to tell during the conference call who was happier; Shanna on her prospect of attending Tennessee, or Summitt on the prospect of having Zolman playing on her team. "We have been very impressed with Shanna," said the Tennessee coach, "We like what she brings to a basketball program, not only at the high school level, but we think there will be great carry over. There are a lot of things that have caught our eye.

"Everyone knows she has a terrific eye for the basket and is a great offensive player, but I have been very impressed with her development of her total game; her commitment to defense, taking charges, doing the little things. Obviously she is a very skilled player and a very knowledgeable player. She has had outstanding coaching and she wants to be coached. Her knowledge of the game makes others around her better. I watched her team last year and it was fun to watch everyone around her get better because of her talents and what she brought to the team.

"She is definitely a good catch for us. In the state of Indiana we recognize basketball is huge, not just the men, but the women as well. Shanna is a player that we have been watching and we feel extremely fortunate to have signed. I think we are on the same page."

Those are strong words indeed coming from someone many consider the dean of women's coaches, for probably no one in the country has the reputation that Summitt takes to the court and next year joining her on that court will be the freshman Zolman. "When I look at Shanna I see a player who is very versatile", explained Summitt, "In our system we are moving players into more motion offense which I think will be a great fit. She can play the point, but with her great touch and shooters mentality I would love to play her on the wing, be it the two or three position.

"I think for Shanna it's just a matter of being in a situation where she can play a number of positions for us. I really liked what I saw this summer, when her team needed to be settled down when they were pressed. It was amazing what she did with just her presence in moving to the point position. She really took command of her team and the tempo of the game."

It was also very obvious that Summitt was happy with what Shanna has to offer not only on the court, but off the court as well, "To be a Lady Vol student athlete, first of all you have to be very gifted. Shanna is an excellent student, she has taken care of her academics first. We have a 100 % graduation of our four-year players and we are very proud of that. And Shanna, we know you are going to help our GPA as well."

Summitt sees Shanna bringing these qualities,"Great character and certainly the values of her family and what that has meant to her, she has been a leader among her peers and that is a tremendous asset as she takes the court here at Tennessee.

"We expect people to work very hard and play together in a team concept and certainly to be competitive. People know when they come here what they are getting. She has seen us and been around us enough, there should be no surprises as to what the expectations are and hopefully we will bring out the best of her and she will out the best of us."

Most never get the opportunity to live out a childhood dream. But next year Shanna should have that opportunity as she puts on the number 5 jersey and takes the court in Knoxville for the University of Tennessee. [[In-content Ad]]