Ex-OU softball players Zaida Puni, Mackenzie Donihoo to face old team with Tennessee in WCWS
The left side of Tennessee softball's infield is plenty familiar with the Lady Vols' next opponent at the Women's College World Series.
When No. 4 Tennessee (46-8) faces No. 1 Oklahoma (57-1) on Saturday (2 p.m., ABC), shortstop Mackenzie Donihoo and third baseman Zaida Puni will be facing their former team.
It's an important game, too. The winner won't play again until Monday and would have to lose twice to not make the finals. The loser will have to play Sunday and win three straight to earn a spot in the best-of-three series.
Puni transferred to Tennessee from OU after her freshman season, starting her Lady Vols career in 2022. Donihoo transferred before this season, making her senior year her first at Tennessee.
Players facing their former teams has become more common as more players use the transfer portal. Puni has already played OU once since transferring: The Lady Vols and Sooners met last season at the Mary Nutter Classic in California. OU won the 10-inning contest 9-8.
More: 'Just a boss': OU softball ace Jordy Bahl dominated Stanford, but don't take it for granted
Puni did not play at OU as a freshman and decided to enter the transfer portal. When she did, Tennessee coach Karen Weekly wanted her right away. She had seen her play in travel ball and recruited her to Tennessee, and after talking with Puni's former travel ball coach, Weekly was confident Puni could have an immediate impact for the Lady Vols.
"I think she was just excited to be somewhere where she was going to get an opportunity to play," Weekly told Knox News. "That summer after she committed to us, she worked really, really hard to get in good shape and be ready to go out there."
Puni started 58 games as a sophomore last season. Her .591 slugging percentage and 14 home runs were second-highest on the team behind All-American outfielder Kiki Milloy.
Puni has continued to excel for the Lady Vols, especially this postseason. She is 9-for-19 (.474) in the NCAA Tournament with 13 RBIs and five home runs.
Donihoo's playing time decreased over her three years with the Sooners. She started every game as a freshman in 2020 before the season was cut short due to the pandemic. As a sophomore, she played in every game and started about half of them, batting .438 with 45 RBIs and nine home runs. Last season, she did not start for the Sooners.
At Tennessee, Donihoo is a defensive standout and a vocal leader. That's why Weekly sought her out last offseason.
More: Tramel: How will OU softball fare in new league after exiting Big 12? SEC coaches chime in
"My goal last year looking in the transfer portal was really one thing: competitive fire," Weekly said. "(Donihoo) brings a lot of spark to our practices. She's always talking. Our pitchers just love her because right behind them at shortstop they can hear her voice encouraging them all the time."
Donihoo is no stranger to Oklahoma City: She's from Mustang, about 30 minutes away. She was a key piece of the Sooners' national title in 2021: She was named to the All-Tournament team after going 10-for-21 with 10 RBIs and three home runs in the WCWS.
On Saturday, Donihoo and Puni will try to give Tennessee a chance to become just the second team all season the beat the Sooners. Weekly said neither player feels anxious about facing their former team.
"I think they appreciated the relationships they made at their former schools," she said. "But I think they're just like, 'That's behind me. This is my team now. I love my team, and I love this program, and I'm happy to be here with Tennessee."
OU vs. Tennessee
FIRST PITCH: 2 p.m. Saturday at USA Hall of Fame Stadium (ABC)
More: Tramel: Patty Gasso's legacy continues to build as OU softball keeps rolling into WCWS
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: OU softball faces Tennessee, ex-Sooners Zaida Puni, Mackenzie Donihoo
