NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The newly reinstated Vanderbilt volleyball program will add six first-year student-athletes to its roster in 2025, head coach Anders Nelson announced Wednesday. The signing class includes Kati Berezowitz, Sydney Bryant, Ariel Chime, Kayla Dunlap, Taylor Porter and Maya Witherspoon.
The program’s reintroduction was announced in April 2022. This fall, Vandy welcomed 10 first year and transfer student-athletes to its roster who will redshirt and train during the 2024-25 academic year in preparation for the team’s first match in August 2025.
“I am very excited to welcome these six student-athletes to our program,” Nelson said. “As a coaching staff, we believe they are a top 10-15 recruiting class in the nation and expect some of them to contribute early in their careers.”
Berezowitz is a 5-3 libero from Burlington, Wisconsin, who plays for Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club. She has participated in the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program and garnered athletic honors in volleyball and softball. She has been named first-team all-conference and county and honorable mention all-state twice for volleyball. This season, she was also named the conference and county player of the year. A senior at Burlington High School, Berezowitz is a member of the National Honor Society, 4H, Best Buddies, Driven and is involved in student government.
Bryant, a 6-3 outside hitter, comes to Nashville by way of Richmond, Texas, where she attends George Ranch High School and plays for Houston Juniors Volleyball Club. In 2022 and 2023, she was her high school’s kill leader and team MVP. As a freshman she was named the District 20-6A Rookie of the Year and has received all-district recognition every year since. A three-time USA NTDP attendee, she was also named all-state in 2022. Bryant has been named Academic-All District four times and is a member of the honor roll. She is also a three-year member of the ASL club and volunteers at volleyball camps, Youth in Philanthropy and Lunches of Love.
A 6-3 middle blocker, Chime plays for COAST Volleyball Club in her hometown, San Diego, California. This season, she won the CIF San Diego Section DI Championship as a member of the Eastlake High School volleyball team. One of the highest jumpers in the country and touching 10-foot-6, she has attended the USA NTDP twice and was named a 2024 Club All-American 17U honorable mention. She is a four-time member of the principal’s honor roll and is also the College Corner editor at the Eastlake Edge and a member of the Black Student Union.
Dunlap, who is a 6-4 middle blocker, is no stranger to Vanderbilt. From Nashville, Tennessee, she will be the program’s first hometown student-athlete. Dunlap plays club volleyball with Tennessee Performance. Academically, she has been on the Centennial High School honor roll throughout her time there. On the volleyball court, she has been named all-district honorable mention twice and made the District 10-AAA all-tournament team in 2023.
Porter is a 5-10 libero hailing from Cypress, Texas. While playing for Houston Skyline Volleyball Club, she’s earned AVCA all-region honors and five invites to the USA NTDP. This year, she was a member of the USAV 17 Open runner-up team. Porter is the first in Cypress Ranch High School history to record more than 1,700 kills, 1,300 digs and 160 aces. In 2024, she was named to the TCGA all-state and all-star teams. She has earned first-team all-district recognition every year of high school and was the 2021 District 16-6A Newcomer of the Year and 2023 MVP. Porter is a four-time member of the distinguished honor roll and a member of the all-state academic team and National English Honor Society.
From Wildwood, Missouri, Witherspoon is a 5-11 outside hitter who attends Lafayette High School and plays for Rockwood Thunder Volleyball Club. In 2023, she was honored as the Missouri All-Metro Player of the Year. She is a three-time all-state, conference and district honoree and recently won her third consecutive state championship with her high school team. She was named AVCA all-region this fall and has attended the USA NTDP every year since 2021. Witherspoon was named academic all-state in 2023 and is a member of the National Honor Society and Lafayette Athletics Leadership Council. She won the National Charity League Passport Award in 2022 and 2024 and the Yellow Rose Award in 2024.
“When we were recruiting, we spent a lot of time evaluating their character and think they will be exceptional stewards of our program’s culture,” Nelson stated. “They’re a versatile group with SEC-level talent, and they are passionate about leaving their mark on this program as members of Team 1.”
The Commodores will play their first volleyball match in 45 years in August 2025. Fans can follow @VandyVolleyball on Instagram and X/Twitter for updates on the team’s preparation for its inaugural season.
