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, Former Deputy Photography Editor

Ophelia Lu (’26) is from Los Angeles and double majored 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 [email protected].

Connor Campbell, Former Senior Staffer

Connor Campbell (’25) was 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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

Chloe Pryor, Former Staff Writer and Photographer

Chloe Pryor (‘26) is from Fort Smith, Ark., and triple majored 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 [email protected].

Nour Abida, Former Staff Photographer

Nour Abida (’25) majored 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 [email protected].

Payton Ohler, Former 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 [email protected].

Lana English, Staff Photographer

Lana English (‘27) is from St. Louis and is double-majoring in history and cognitive studies in the College of Arts and Science. She previously served as Multimedia Copy Editor. Outside of The Hustler, you can find her drinking coffee, playing NYT word games, or getting nostalgic looking at old pictures. You can reach her at [email protected].

Jo Anderson, Staff Photographer

Jo Anderson (’28) is from Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, and is currently pursuing a double major in Molecular & Cellular Biology and History. Outside of photography, she is an avid reader and writer and enjoys curating her “Next Watch” lists, finding new historical rabbit holes and Dr. Pepper. She can be reached at [email protected].

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 [email protected].

Emily Park, Former 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 [email protected].

Nafees-ul Haque, Former Senior Staffer

Nafees-ul Haque (’25) majored 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 [email protected].

Alex Brodeur, Life Editor

Alex Brodeur (’27) is from Montclair, New Jersey, and is majoring in political science and culture, advocacy and leadership and minoring in history of art and musicology in the College of Arts and Science. He previously served as Deputy Life Editor and Music Correspondent. When not writing or taking photos for The Hustler, you can find him listening to music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’90s, exploring campus or attending concerts all across Nashville. He can be reached at [email protected].

Sambodh Sinha, Social Media Staffer

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 [email protected].

Miguel Beristain, Former Senior Staffer

Miguel Beristain (’25) was 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 [email protected].

Natalie Do Amaral, Former 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 [email protected].

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