The Vanderbilt volleyball team entered Sunday without a win in SEC competition over the past 45 years. However, the terrible drought wasn't due to a lack of effort.
The school axed the program in 1980 and reinstated it this year. A four-and-a-half decade streak ended with a match win over Arkansas (25-17, 25-18, 25-18) at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville.
Vanderbilt volleyball's first SEC win in 45 years...#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/1nCGgwXxm4
— Vanderbilt Volleyball (@VandyVolleyball) October 5, 2025
“Volleyball and Vanderbilt are a perfect fit, and we are excited to welcome a new group of student-athletes, fans and supporters to Commodore Nation,” athletic director Candice Lee said in a statement after adding the program back into existence. “Adding one of the most popular participation sports for girls and one of the NCAA’s fastest-growing women’s championship experiences is in line with our ongoing effort to reimagine the future of Vanderbilt Athletics and provide the best student-athlete experience in college athletics.”
Vandy volleyball is one of 16 competing members of the Southeastern Conference and is also one of three new squads to join the league alongside Texas and Oklahoma. The trio joined the conference as full members this year.
The Commodores had a .284 hitting efficiency in the win. Isabella Bareford’s 33 assists was a tremendous factor in the win. Jackie Moore and Mia Soerensen posted nine kills, with hitting percentages of .500 and .533, respectively.
Vanderbilt volleyball will hit the road for a weekend swing against Auburn and Florida.