NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commodores remain undefeated in the first two weeks of the 2026 season at 4-0 after defeating Rutgers 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21) Wednesday night at Memorial Gymnasium. Samantha Wunsch posted a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs, and Kayla Dunlap added 13 kills while hitting .407. Hailee Mack's career-high four service aces matched Wunsch's four as Vanderbilt finished with a program-high 12 aces.
Vanderbilt's offense also received a surge from Reese Animashaun, who matched Wunsch for the team lead in kills, while Dunlap turned in an efficient performance with a .407 hitting percentage. Maya Witherspoon contributed nine kills, and Avery Scoggins directed the offense with 47 assists as the Commodores finished with 55 kills.
Defensively, Mack and Scoggins notched 10 digs to join Wunsch in double figures in addition to Mack's career-best four aces. Animashaun added nine digs. At the net, Dunlap led Vanderbilt with three block assists and a solo block, helping the Commodores finish with five team blocks. Vanderbilt's serve pressure proved pivotal throughout the match as the Commodores totaled 12 aces.
Vanderbilt controlled much of the opening set, building an early advantage before holding off a late Rutgers push for a 25-20 win. The Scarlet Knights responded in the second frame, hitting .361 to even the match with a 25-23 victory.
The Commodores answered in the third set, overcoming a late deficit before closing on a 3-0 run to claim a 25-23 win and regain the match lead. Vanderbilt then used a 7-2 run midway through the fourth set to create separation and secure the match with a 25-21 victory.
The Dores finished with 55 kills, 53 assists, 55 digs, 12 service aces and five team blocks while improving to 4-0 on the season. The Scarlet Knights were held below a .300 hitting percentage in three of the four sets.
The Commodores will take on Samford in the final match of their five-match homestand on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m.