Dores Volleyball: Season Opener Loss – 5 Sets

Vanderbilt Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Thriller to no. 14 Kansas

Vanderbilt University’s volleyball team experienced a hard-fought defeat,falling 3-2 (19-25,25-18,24-26,25-20,15-4) to No.14 Kansas on Saturday afternoon at teh AVCA First Serve Showcase in Lincoln, Nebraska. This marked the Commodores’ first match in 45 years against the Jayhawks, a highly anticipated contest that showcased both teams’ resilience and offensive firepower.

A Promising Start and a Competitive battle

The Commodores started strong, securing the first set with a score of 25-19. Jackie Moore, a middle blocker, initiated the scoring with a key kill, and Vanderbilt quickly established a 10-5 lead. Moore and fellow middle blocker Maddy Bowser combined for nine of the team’s 16 kills in the opening set. However, Kansas responded with a persistent effort, launching an 8-3 run after the set break in the second set and ultimately claiming it 25-18.

did you know? – Vanderbilt and Kansas had not faced each othre in volleyball competition as 1978, making this Saturday’s match a historic encounter for both programs.

Momentum shifts and a Nail-Biting third Set

The match continued to swing in momentum, with the third set proving to be a notably intense affair. The set featured 11 ties and five lead changes, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage. Vanderbilt ultimately prevailed 26-24,showcasing their ability to perform under pressure.Setter Isabella Bareford contributed 14 assists, while libero Hailee Mack recorded nine digs during this crucial set.

Pro tip: – Libero players, like Vanderbilt’s Hailee Mack, specialize in defensive skills and wear a different colored jersey to easily identify them on the court.

Kansas Dominates Late, Secures Victory

Despite the Commodores’ efforts, Kansas regained control in the fourth set, posting a match-high .351 hitting percentage to win 25-20.The Jayhawks carried this momentum into the decisive fifth set, closing out the match with a dominant 15-4 victory.

Standout Performances on Both Sides

Reese Animashaun led Vanderbilt’s offence with a game-high 18 kills, adding 11 digs, five assists, and four blocks to her impressive stat line. Moore registered a career-high 17 kills, hitting .323, and Kamryn Chaney added 11 terminations. Bareford orchestrated the offense with 46 assists, while Mack anchored the defense with 28 of the team’s 56 digs. The Jayhawks were powered the offense with 15 and 13 kills, respectively. The Jayhawks also held a significant advantage in blocking, outblocking the Commodores 15.5 to 10, with Alisha Aiono totaling a team-high eight block assists.

Reader question: – What adjustments do you think the Commodores can make to improve their performance in the fifth set of close matches?

Looking ahead

Vanderbilt will return to the court to host Belmont for their home opener on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, with the match broadcast on the SEC Network.