SEC Startup

Commodores host No. 3 Kentucky in SEC Opener

A volleyball player in a white jersey jumps to spike the ball over the net, while two opponents in purple jerseys leap to block.A volleyball player in a white jersey jumps to spike the ball over the net, while two opponents in purple jerseys leap to block.

Vanderbilt (9-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. No. 3 Kentucky (8-2, 0-0 SEC)

Wednesday, Sept. 23 • 8 p.m. CT • SEC Network

Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, Tenn.

Live Stats 

WEEKEND PREVIEW

  • Vanderbilt volleyball opens SEC play against No. 3 Kentucky at Memorial Gym on SEC Network after a 9-0 start
  • Multiple Dores have Kentucky ties including Head Coach Anders Nelson who faces the Wildcats after serving in various coaching roles with the Wildcats
  • Assistant Coach Azhani Tealer will be coaching against her alma mater, where she and Nelson were a part of the 2020-21 National Championship team
  • Sophomore Kati Berezowitz will be battling across the net from sister and Kentucky senior Molly Berezowitz
  • SEC Co-Setter of the Week Avery Scoggins enters her SEC debut after helping Vanderbilt hit above .300 in eight of nine nonconference matches
  • The first 300 students to attend the duration of the match will receive a free Vanderbilt crewneck

 

LAST TIME OUT

  • The Commodores earned back-to-back wins against Belmont (3-1) and Lipscomb (3-0)
  • The Dores posted a 3-1 win (20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-17) against Belmont at the Curb Event Center. Reese Animashaun and Maya Witherspoon each hit above .460, while Maddy Bowser hit .500 as Vanderbilt posted a .333 team hitting percentage
  • The 2026 squad completes the nonconference portion of the season undefeated after sweeping Lipscomb 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-15). The win pushed the Commodores to 9-0 while Lipscomb fell to 5-3 on the year

 

IN THE NCAA

  • Avery Scoggins ranks first in in the country with 11.88 assists per set
  • Kayla Dunlap ranks fourth nationally with a .500 hitting percentage
  • Vanderbilt ranks second nationally in hitting percentage (.333) and kills per set (14.93)
  • The team earned votes for the second consecutive week with 74, besting the team’s previous 20 in the AVCA Coaches Poll

 

THE WILDCAT FILE

  • Craig Skinner is in his 22nd season as Kentucky's head coach
  • The Wildcats head to Nashville after defeating No. 4 Louisville, swapping places in the AVCA Poll
  • Outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye leads Kentucky with 4.24 kills per set and 0.53 aces per set
  • Wednesday's match marks the second meeting between the programs after Kentucky won 3-0 in 2025