NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt volleyball earned its first win over Texas A&M in program history Friday night at Memorial Gymnasium, defeating the Aggies 3-1 behind a balanced offensive effort and a .331 hitting percentage.
Three Commodores reached double figures in kills as Reese Animashaun, Maya Witherspoon and Samantha Wunsch each recorded 15. Defensively, Hailee Mack posted a team-high 17 digs, while Witherspoon added 15 digs to complete a double-double. Avery Scoggins also finished with a double-double, totaling 46 assists and 13 digs. At the net, the Commodores (18-3, 9-3 SEC) registered eight blocks, led by Kayla Dunlap and Witherspoon with four each.
Vanderbilt jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the opening set, but Texas A&M responded with an 11-4 run to take a 15-13 advantage. The Commodores answered down the stretch, overcoming six ties and winning 12 of the final 18 points to secure a 25-21 victory.
The Aggies (14-10, 7-5 SEC) responded in the second set, using a late surge to build separation and even the match with a 25-18 win. Vanderbilt mounted a late push, scoring four of the final seven points, but Texas A&M held on to level the match at one set apiece.
The Commodores regained momentum in the third set, leading for nearly the entire frame after opening on a 5-1 run. Texas A&M trimmed the deficit to three points midway through the set, but Vanderbilt maintained its advantage and closed on a strong finish to earn a 25-20 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
In the fourth set, the teams battled through seven ties as neither side was able to create much separation. Vanderbilt erased an early four-point deficit and remained steady during the closing stretch. Following a Texas A&M timeout with the Commodores leading 22-20, Vanderbilt scored three of the final four points to secure a 25-21 set victory and clinch the match.
Vanderbilt continues SEC play Sunday, hosting No. 13 Texas in Nashville.