Vanderbilt Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Thriller to no. 14 Kansas in Historic Matchup
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LINCOLN, Neb. – In a highly anticipated contest marking their first meeting in 45 years, the Vanderbilt Commodores battled fiercely but ultimately fell to No. 14 Kansas, 3-2 (19-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20, 15-4), Saturday afternoon at the AVCA First Serve Showcase held within the expansive Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The match, a significant early-season test for both programs, showcased Vanderbilt’s emerging offensive power and defensive resilience. Leading the charge for the Commodores was outside hitter Reese Animashaun, who delivered a game-high 18 kills alongside 11 digs, five assists, and four crucial blocks. Middle blocker jackie Moore enjoyed a career performance, registering 17 kills with an impressive .323 hitting percentage, while fellow outside hitter Kamryn chaney contributed 11 terminations. Setting the table for the Commodore attack was isabella Bareford,who dished out 46 assists.
vanderbilt’s backcourt was anchored by libero Hailee Mack, who recorded a team-best 28 digs out of the Commodores’ total of 56. the defensive effort, however, was challenged by a potent Kansas blocking game.
kansas relied on the offensive prowess of Reese Ptacek and Grace Nelson, who tallied 15 and 13 kills respectively. The Jayhawks‘ dominant presence at the net resulted in 15.5 total blocks to Vanderbilt’s 10, with Alisha Aiono leading the way with eight block assists.
Commodores Surge Early, Jayhawks Respond
Vanderbilt seized control in the first set, capitalizing on early kills from Moore to establish a 10-5 advantage. The Commodores’ middle blocker tandem of Moore and Maddy Bowser proved particularly effective, combining for nine of vanderbilt’s 16 kills in the opening frame, ultimately securing a 25-19 victory.
The second set witnessed a swift reversal of fortunes.Kansas embarked on an 8-3 run, extending their lead to as many as 12 points. A strong defensive showing, featuring eight team blocks compared to Vanderbilt’s two, stifled the Commodore offense. Despite a late surge sparked by back-to-back kills from Animashaun, vanderbilt couldn’t overcome the deficit, falling 25-18.
A Back-and-Forth Battle in Set Three
The third set proved to be a tightly contested affair, featuring 11 ties and five lead changes. Neither team managed to establish a significant lead, with the largest margin being just four points. bareford orchestrated the Commodore offense effectively, recording 14 assists, while Mack anchored the defense with nine digs. Vanderbilt ultimately prevailed 26-24, regaining the lead in the match.
Kansas Dominates Late, Secures Victory
Kansas responded emphatically in the fourth set, registering a match-high .351 hitting percentage. This offensive efficiency propelled the Jayhawks to a 25-20 win, forcing a decisive fifth set. The momentum continued to favor Kansas in the final frame, as they closed out the match with a commanding 15-4 victory.
looking Ahead
Vanderbilt (0-1) will return to Nashville to host Belmont in their home opener on Friday at 7 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast live on SEC Network, offering fans a chance to witness the Commodores’ continued progress under head coach Anders Nelson.This marks the beginning of a crucial stretch for Vanderbilt as they aim to build upon the competitive showing against a nationally ranked opponent.
“We showed a lot of fight today against a very good Kansas team,” said Coach Nelson after the match.
“There are areas where we can improve, but I’m proud of the effort and the resilience our team displayed. We’re looking forward to coming home and building on this experience.”
About vanderbilt Volleyball: The Vanderbilt Commodores are a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and compete in NCAA
