On Saturday, Vanderbilt Volleyball took the court for an NCAA match for the first time in 45 years. The awaited return of this program took place on the national stage, as the Commodores faced No. 14 Kansas at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Although Vanderbilt burst out to a 2-1 lead, it ultimately lost in five sets, dropping the final set 15-4.
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, head coach Anders Nelson, senior middle blocker Jackie Moore, and graduate transfer setter Isabella Bareford took time after morning practice to discuss the Kansas loss and the upcoming home opener.
“I was really impressed with how we handled the moment,” Nelson said about the team’s first match. “I think the part that outsiders don’t recognize as much is that we went into that match thinking we were going to win. We went in thinking we were better than Kansas, and I still think we could beat them if we had another chance.”
The loss was a lesson for the growing team, not to mention a reflection of the tough road that lies ahead. With a litany of power opponents in non-conference play and the SEC gauntlet that awaits them, Nelson doesn’t want to shy away from the challenge.
“I told [the team] from the get-go that this is going to be really hard and if they didn’t want that, they shouldn’t have come here,” Nelson said. “We have to be battle-tested. If we want to make the [NCAA] Tournament and make the postseason, we’ve got to be in environments that are going to prepare us.”
The next of these challenges comes through not solely an opponent but a new atmosphere too. The Commodores will play inner-city rival Belmont outside on Wyatt Lawn in front of a general admission crowd. Moore, who logged 17 kills in Vanderbilt’s game against Kansas, understands the impact of this game for the program.
“We’re looking at it as an opportunity to show our adaptability because we’re playing in very unorthodox conditions, and we’re really excited to show how well we can work,” Moore said. “We’re trying to show who runs Nashville.”
Bareford, the team’s starting setter who dished 46 of Vanderbilt’s 58 assists against Kansas, also shared her excitement and anticipation.
“There’s a level of excitement I’ve never experienced before, and I’ve been playing college volleyball for a long time,” Bareford said. “It’s a great opportunity to keep spreading volleyball and keep showing it to the world because it’s a great sport and I think the best female athletes play volleyball. So, it’s a great opportunity to continue to grow the game.”
Coach Nelson, even while talking about tactics and possible improvements, also appeared enthusiastic about the future.
“Just a big, warm hug from our community,” Nelson said when asked about the atmosphere he was looking for on Friday. “I know it sounds cheesy, but I’m excited for people to see [us] for the first time. I think they’re going to be so forward with what our athletes can do. I want this to be a core memory for the student body. I want them to look back on this and say, ‘Wow, that happened during my freshman year. I remember that first match.’ It’s going to be a fun event and a massive celebration for Vanderbilt.”
Vanderbilt Volleyball will defend home turf for the first time in 45 years when it hosts the Belmont Bruins on Wyatt Lawn on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. CDT.
