#5 Alex Gladding
Defense
Features:
Get to Know the Dores: Alex Gladding
Honors:
• 2025 All-AAC Second Team
• AAC Defender of the Week (April 29, 2025)
• 2025 Preseason All-AAC
• 2023-24 All-AAC Academic Team
• 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
• 2025 SEC Spring Honor Roll
• 2023-24 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll
• Named AAC Freshman of the Week (Feb. 19, 2024)
• Named 2024 Impact Freshman by Inside Lacrosse (March 26, 2024)
As a Sophomore (2025):
• Started in all 18 contests for the Commodores, anchoring a defense with 38 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers
• Registered a season-high four caused turnovers in season opener at Cincinnati (Feb. 8)
• Picked up three ground balls at Denver (Feb. 16)
• Scored first career goal at Lindenwood (April 16) while picking up four ground balls and causing two turnovers
• Dished first career assist against Xavier (April 23) and tallied three ground balls and two caused turnovers
• Had another assist against Old Dominion (April 26) to help clinch final spot in conference tournament
• Posted four ground balls and two caused turnovers in season finale against James Madison (May 1)
As a Freshman (2024):
• Started all 17 games for Vandy, picking up 28 ground balls and causing 17 turnovers to anchor the Commodore defense
• Caused three turnovers against Coastal Carolina (April 10)
• Grabbed four ground balls at ODU (April 6)
• Had two ground balls and two caused turnovers along with one draw control against Mercer (March 13)
• Tallied three ground balls and forced on turnover vs. Kennesaw State (March 2)
• Had two ground balls and two caused turnovers at Stanford (Feb. 24)
• Grabbed one ground ball and caused four turnovers in season opener
• Earned first start in season debut against Central Michigan (Feb. 17)
The Gladding File:
• Attended Pine Crest Preparatory School
• Played for Florida Select, the #1 club team in the state
• Parents are Faith and Crane Gladding
• American Select 2021
• 2021 Sun-Sentinel All County Second Team
• 2021 Miami Herald All County Second Team
• 2021 US Lacrosse Regional First Team
• 2021 US Lacrosse District First Team
• Two-time Under Armour 150 (2020, 2021)
• 2018 Middle School Athlete of the Year
• Broward County Winter 2019 All-County Honorable Mention in basketball
• Sun Sentinel 2020 All County Honorable mention and Miami Herald 2020 Broward County 2nd Team in basketball
• 2020 National Society of High School Scholars
Why Vandy: “Vanderbilt has always been my dream school. I love Nashville and the atmosphere of the city. There are so many good food options. All the girls on the team are the best!”