Coach Nelson on Maya Witherspoon…Maya is a smooth athlete who understands what it takes to be great at this level. Her serve has been one of the best statistically since she arrived, and she’s had big offensive moments thanks to her heavy arm. She’s always locked in and is someone her teammates trust in the heat of a match, which is rare for a freshman.
Academic Honors
• 2025 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll
As a Freshman (2025)
• Named to the 2025 SEC Volleyball Community Service Team
• Played in 100 sets as a freshman recording 109 kills and 30 aces
• Ranked top 10 in the SEC averaging .30 aces per set
• Made first collegiate start vs. Ole Miss – recorded eight kills, two aces, 12 digs and five blocks
• Totaled five service aces at Florida, a season-best
The Witherspoon File
• Enrolled at Vanderbilt early in spring 2025
• Played club volleyball with the Rockwood Thunder
• 2024-25 Girls Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year – Missouri
• 2024 AVCA all-region
• Won three consecutive state championships with her high school team
• 2023 Missouri All-Metro Player of the Year
• Three-time all state, conference and district honoree
• 2021-24 USA NTDP participant
• 2023 academic all-state
• National Honor Society
• Lafayette Athletics Leadership Council
• National Charity League
Personal
• Father, Will, played football at Georgia and in the NFL for the Eagles, Panthers, Rams and Titans
• Mother, Rebecca, played volleyball at Georgia
• Sister, Layne, plays volleyball at Augusta
• Cousin, Greg Hall Jr., played football at Appalachian State and Auburn
Why Vanderbilt?
I chose Vanderbilt, because as cliche as it sounds, Nashville felt like home. I knew that the coaching staff supported me throughout my recruiting process. I wanted to challenge myself athletically but also academically, and Vanderbilt has a huge reputation for their academics and that drew me to the program. Both my parents played in the SEC, and I’ve always been drawn to play in that conference, because as they say, ‘it just means more.’ I knew that I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to be a part of a new program at a school with such high expectations anywhere else, and that new opportunity to help grow something new also is what made me choose Vanderbilt.
Maya’s Essentials
Favorite Nashville food spot: Biscuit Love
Favorite spot on campus: Wyatt Lawn
First song on aux: Pump it Up by Endor