Samford Silenced

More programs records established as win streak continues

A volleyball player in a gold jersey jumps to spike the ball over the net as two opponents in red jerseys attempt to block.A volleyball player in a gold jersey jumps to spike the ball over the net as two opponents in red jerseys attempt to block.
Vandy Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt Volleyball earned its fifth straight home victory of the season with a fourth 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-19, 25-10) over Samford on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium. The Commodores totaled 42 kills while hitting .360 as a team and held the Bulldogs to a .073 hitting percentage, Vanderbilt's lowest opponent hitting percentage of the 2026 season.

Avery Scoggins directed a balanced Vanderbilt offense with 27 assists, helping two Commodores post double-digit kills. Maya Witherspoon recorded a career-high 13 kills, surpassing her previous best of 11. Samantha Wunsch added 12 kills as Vanderbilt's attack generated 61 points in the straight-set match.

The Commodores were strong behind the service line, finishing with 10 aces. Animashaun paced the team with a career-high four service aces, while Wunsch contributed two. Vanderbilt's serving pressure consistently disrupted Samford's offense paired with five Bulldog service errors to help create separation throughout the match.

Defensively, Hailee Mack tallied a team-high 15 digs, while Animashaun and Witherspoon added six and five, respectively. At the net, Vanderbilt turned in its best blocking performance of the season with nine total blocks. Wunsch and Maddy Bowser led the effort with four block assists each as the Commodores limited Samford to just 22 kills.

Vanderbilt controlled the match from the opening serve, hitting .367 in the first set before winning the second frame 25-19. The Commodores capped the afternoon by hitting .542 in the third set to secure the sweep and complete a start-to-finish performance to total to the 5-0 record.

The Commodores will hit the road this week to Boston to face Boston College on Sept. 9 before heading to New York to compete in the Anchor Down in Midtown match on Sept. 13 against North Carolina in the Hammerstein Ballroom.