IN PHOTOS: Highs and lows for the Commodores

The Commodores kick off the spring season with immense promises.

By Ophelia Lu, Deputy Photography Editor

Feb 18, 2025

Vanderbilt cheer team performs during a break in the game against Mississippi State, as photographed on Feb. 13, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Nafees-ul Haque)

Nafees-ul Haque

As the new semester unfolds, Vanderbilt Athletics has brought new thrills to campus. Memorial Gymnasium has been the stage for some spectacular program peaks as well as hard-fought setbacks. As the SEC season slowly wraps up, the Commodores are determined to prove they can play just anywhere.

Men’s Basketball

The Commodores have experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows since the start of SEC conference play in 2025. After a shaky season opener, Vanderbilt found its footing with a gritty 66-63 victory over South Carolina, setting the stage for an electrifying run. The Commodores stunned No. 6 Tennessee with a 76-75 buzzer-beater, followed by a statement 74-69 win over No. 9 Kentucky, propelling them into the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2015.

However, the team’s momentum hit a roadblock with back-to-back losses to Florida and Oklahoma. Though the team bounced back with another thriller win at home against Texas, the Commodores fell to No.1 Auburn 80-68 the next game and No. 5 Tennessee on the road.

Women’s Basketball

Much like the men’s team, Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball faced a challenging start to SEC conference play, dropping three straight games to Kentucky, Ole Miss and LSU after an emphatic season-opening win against Georgia. The Commodores quickly turned things around with a clutch 71-70 victory over Tennessee, followed by a record-breaking 101-60 blowout against Arkansas.

Head coach Shea Ralph’s squad extended its momentum with road wins over Florida (99-86) and Alabama (66-64) before falling to Ole Miss, 76-61, in a home rematch. The team then fell to Mississippi State 85-77 despite a strong fourth-quarter performance and two overtimes. The Commodores had another overtime road game on Feb. 16, this time a victory over Auburn, and Mikayla Blakes broke her own scoring record with 55 points.

Swimming

Vanderbilt Swimming finished its spring season against Southern Illinois with the emergence of two NCAA-qualifying Dores. The team is looking forward to competing in the SEC championship on Feb. 18-22.

Tennis

After a setback against Michigan State, Vanderbilt Men’s Tennis bounced back in dominant fashion, rattling off four consecutive wins to improve to 7-2 in conference play. The women’s team cruised past Middle Tennessee State and Bellarmine and are sitting at 4-1, with their only loss coming against UC Santa Barbara. The Commodores are in strong contention as they push forward in the season.

About the Contributors

Ophelia Lu, Deputy Photography Editor

Ophelia Lu (’26) is from Los Angeles and is double majoring in biomedical and electrical engineering in the School of Engineering. She previously served as a staff photographer. When not covering events and sports games for The Hustler, you can find her listening to a lot of music, studying at Starbucks or lying on Alumni lawn. She can be reached at yifei.lu@vanderbilt.edu.

Connor Campbell, Senior Staffer

Connor Campbell (’25) is a human and organizational development and cinema and media arts major from Staten Island, N.Y. Connor shares a strong love for both sports and film, leading to his interest in The Ringer and, consequently, his casual and quippy style of writing. Outside of The Hustler, Connor does freelance photography, runs the social media accounts for Vanderbilt Club Hockey and Camp Kesem’s Vanderbilt Chapter and is the president of Vanderbilt Tap That. You can reach him at connor.v.campbell@vanderbilt.edu.

Alondra Moya, Senior Staffer

Alondra Moya (‘26) is majoring in child development in Peabody College. When not shooting for The Hustler, you can find her spending time outside, at the gym or watching stand-up comedy. You can reach her at alondra.r.moya@vanderbilt.edu.

Michael Tung, Staff Photographer

Michael Tung (’26) is majoring in computer science. He is currently a staff photographer and is originally from Dublin, Ohio. His interests are photography, engineering, all things aerospace and music. He can be reached at michael.tung@vanderbilt.edu.

Chloe Pryor, Staff Writer and Photographer

Chloe Pryor (‘26) is from Fort Smith, Ark., and is triple majoring in psychology, communications studies and law, history & society. When not writing for The Hustler, you can find her reading, drawing or running late for class. You can reach her at chloe.g.pryor@vanderbilt.edu.

Nour Abida, Staff Photographer

Nour Abida (’25) is majoring in political science and medicine, health & society with a minor in Spanish in the College of Arts and Science. She is from Tunis, Tunisia. You can reach her at nour.abida@vanderbilt.edu.

Payton Ohler, Staff Photographer

Payton Ohler (‘27) is double majoring in civil engineering and climate studies. She is from Houston and loves to run, watercolor, bake anything pumpkin flavored and compete with fellow staffer Lana English on the NYT word games. She can be reached at payton.m.ohler@vanderbilt.edu.

Lana English, Multimedia Copy Editor

Lana English (‘27) is from St. Louis and is majoring in neuroscience and minoring in Data Science and History in the College of Arts and Science. Outside of The Hustler, you can find her drinking coffee, playing NYT word games, listening to the Binchtopia podcast or getting nostalgic looking at old pictures. You can reach her at lana.k.english@vanderbilt.edu.

Jo Anderson, Staff Photographer

Jo Anderson (’28) is a first-year planning to major in medicine, health & society and public policy on the pre-med track. She hails from the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and can often be found on a hike with her camera. In addition to photography, Jo is an avid reader and writer and enjoys movies, live music and Dr. Pepper. She can be reached at josephine.a.anderson@vanderbilt.edu.

Meagan To, Staff Photographer

Meagan To (’28) is from San Francisco and is planning to major in medicine, health & society on the pre-dental track. When not taking photos for The Hustler, you can find Meagan exploring scenic spots, trying new matcha cafes and FaceTiming her dog. She can be reached at meagan.f.to@vanderbilt.edu.

Emily Park, Staff Writer and Photographer

Emily Park (’28) is from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and is majoring in engineering science in the School of Engineering. In her free time, she enjoys baking, swimming and traveling. You can reach her at emily.j.park@vanderbilt.edu.

Nafees-ul Haque, Senior Staffer

Nafees-ul Haque (’25) is majoring in computer science and math in the School of Engineering. When he’s not working for The Hustler, he can be found watching “Avatar The Last Airbender” for the billionth time or making fried rice in his Highland apartment at 3 a.m. He can be reached at nafees-ul.haque@vanderbilt.edu.

Alex Brodeur, Music Correspondant

Alex Brodeur (‘27) is a student in the College of Arts and Science majoring in culture, advocacy and leadership and minoring in art history and musicology. When not taking photos for The Hustler, you can find him performing with the Spirit of Gold Marching Band, visiting museums with the History of Art Society or attending concerts. He can be reached at alexander.t.brodeur@vanderbilt.edu.

Sambodh Sinha, Deputy Videography Editor

Sambodh Sinha (’28) is from Pittsburgh and is planning to major in biology and computer science. When not studying in Divinity Library, you can find him lifting in the Rec, meditating outside Sutherland House or enjoying a delicious meal at EBI. Originally from South London, he is an avid fan of both types of football. You can reach him at sambodh.sinha@vanderbilt.edu.

Miguel Beristain, Senior Staffer

Miguel Beristain (’25) is a philosophy major in the College of Arts and Science from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When not shooting for The Hustler, he can usually be found hammocking on Alumni Lawn, exploring new restaurants or practicing guitar. He can be reached at miguel.a.beristain@vanderbilt.edu.

Natalie Do Amaral, Staff Photographer

Natalie Do Amaral (’27) is majoring in political science and Spanish with a legal studies minor in the College of Arts and Science. She is on the pre-law track. Natalie loves playing volleyball, going to concerts and enjoying beautiful days in Centennial park with her friends. She can be reached at natalie.f.do.amaral@vanderbilt.edu.

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