Isabella Bareford’s college career has been defined by leadership and excellence. The now-graduate spent four years playing for Loyola Marymount’s volleyball program, where she racked up a laundry list of accolades. 

She was a four-year starter with the Lions and was named to the All-WCC First Team twice (2020, 2022) and the All-WCC Second Team twice as well (2021, 2023). She also helped lead Loyola Marymount to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022, when she produced a team-high 1,088 assists as the team’s star setter. 

“I loved my experience at [Loyola Marymount]; it’s a great school,” Bareford told The Hustler.  

To understand Bareford’s leadership skills truly, you’d have to go all the way back to her childhood in Long Beach, California. Bareford’s parents raised her as an athlete and a dedicated student. Her mother was a swimmer and water polo player; her father was the high jump champion of California, a talented basketball player and an inaugural member of UC Irvine’s Men’s Volleyball team. 

“Both of my parents grew up athletes. My dad was super athletic,” Bareford said. “He got recruited to be on the men’s volleyball team [at UC Irvine] because they were starting back up again, and he learned how to play volleyball and kind of fell in love with it.”

The Californian grew up playing soccer, basketball and volleyball while also swimming. Though they all seem very different, one fact connected all those childhood sports.

“I don’t think I understood roles as much [when I was younger], but now, looking back, I was always a facilitator,” Bareford said. “I played center midfield in soccer. Then, in basketball, I was a point guard.”

Bareford may not have started with just volleyball, but her passion arose quickly.

“My long-time coach saw me setting, and he was like, ‘You could be a pretty good setter,’” Bareford said. “Fast forward six months, I started playing club volleyball, and then I fell in love with it, and I’ve been playing ever since.

Bareford loved setting, not just because she was talented, but because it highlighted skills she brought from a childhood full of sports.

“What I love about setting is that I have so much control over the game. Not just physically, but I also decide who gets the ball,” Bareford said. “I also have to keep everyone accounted for, which I love. I love having a role where I have such a big impact on my teammates and can bring everyone together in a way.” 

Bareford’s love for her teammates translated well during her time at Loyola Marymount. Now, she’s taking her talents to Memorial Gymnasium, where she will serve as one of just two graduates on Vanderbilt’s first volleyball team in over 50 years. But how did the 5’9 graduate transfer end up at West End?

When her four years with the Lions were up, and it was time for Bareford to decide the next steps of her collegiate journey, Vanderbilt was already at the top of her radar. 

“I kind of knew I was going to transfer for my graduate year,” Bareford said. “Vanderbilt was always my dream academic school, but they didn’t have volleyball. So I [said,] ‘That’s not going to work, because I just wanted to play in college and get my education paid for.”

She finished up at Loyola Marymount and entered the transfer portal in October of 2023, hoping that Vanderbilt would reach out to her as it started its program — and it did. 

“They emailed me,” Bareford said. “I didn’t know the situation, but [I thought] it would be great to get a master’s degree from Vanderbilt. I talked to the coaches and came on a visit here and fell in love with it. It just felt like the right situation for me.”

Bareford’s full circle moment came on March 18, 2024, when she committed to play for the Commodores. Vanderbilt Volleyball might be a young team — with 10 first-years and another two sophomores on the current roster — but Bareford has embraced that.

“In graduate school, especially the program I’m in, it’s a lot about collaboration and learning from others around you,” Bareford said. “I’m still learning, and I feel like I’m learning from them, too.”

Working with young teammates isn’t new to Bareford, though. In fact, she’s more than comfortable with it. 

“[My friends] always joke with me that I would always be with the young people,” Bareford said. “I really love my teammates, and they’re all just kind people, which I appreciate. I’m learning as I go, learning how to communicate with each of them.”

It’s never easy to start a new program. It takes passionate individuals and, more than anything else, a strong culture. Bareford and her teammates are working to build a robust foundation.

“I think it’s very different from my old school. We are establishing a culture, which is so different because we didn’t have a team,” Bareford said. “We want to outwork every team that we play. We aren’t gonna be as physical, but we want to outwork every team. I think that’s something that we’re all really buying into.”

Still, her most valued lessons involve finding balance off the court. This has taken the form of understanding herself beyond her identity as a volleyball player — a practice she began as an undergraduate. 

“I realized I had to find other things that I like to do, and not just [play] volleyball in school. It took a lot of work,” Bareford said. “I think I’m finally at a place where I love volleyball but I [also] have a life outside of it.”

This emphasis on existing as a whole human — not just an athlete — is apparent in every facet of Bareford’s life. She valued it in choosing a program whose coaches would see and train her, not just as an athlete but as a teammate and person. She uses it to develop relationships with teammates, whom she admires. And, ultimately, she has instilled in herself a well-roundedness that will outlive her career as a college athlete. 

When the time comes for Bareford to call it quits on the court, she’ll be ready. 

“I’m excited for the future and I’m excited to think about working in healthcare settings,” Bareford said. “I love it, and I’m excited for that. Volleyball is a huge part of my life, but I think it took a lot of work for me to make it not my whole life. I’m excited to see who I am without volleyball.” 

She’s looking to work as a nurse practitioner and is currently in the process of applying to physician assistant school. Still, the graduate student has interests outside of the court, classroom and clinic.

“I love farmers’ markets,” Bareford said. “I really like exploring different things. I’m a big foodie, so it’s been fun being in Nashville. I love to read, [too].”

As she enters her final season of eligibility and beyond, Bareford will bring her knowledge to her team and the world outside of it. Volleyball has taught her the importance of communication and the act of showing up. When she steps onto the court, Bareford is a leader. When she steps outside, all she changes are her shoes. 

She’ll look to continue her legacy of leadership, hard work and passion as Vanderbilt Volleyball gears up for its first season in nearly 50 years. The Black and Gold will play their first-ever match when the 2025 season begins this August.