NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt volleyball head coach Anders Nelson announced the addition of Elli Kinney and Jackie Moore to its roster Thursday.
“I’m thrilled to be adding Jackie and Elli to our team,” Nelson said. “Both women possess the DNA and experience we were searching for in the first leaders of the program. They have both competed at the NCAA Division I level and are excited to serve as mentors to the young student-athletes on our roster.”
Kinney, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, spent her freshman year at the College of Charleston before transferring to Vandy. A 5-foot-8 libero, she appeared in all 19 matches of her debut season, making four starts as a defensive specialist. During nonconference play, Kinney recorded double digit digs in seven of eight matches, spending much of that time as the starting libero. She ended her freshman season with the Cougars ranked second on the team in digs (211), digs per set (3.6) and service aces (15).
“Elli and I crossed paths during her first recruitment process, and I always knew I wanted to coach her,” Nelson said. “She’s a coach’s kid; so, she understands what it takes to reach her potential. She has valuable experience in serve-receive at the collegiate level that will be an asset on our young team. We are excited to have Elli, a local Tennessean, as a part of this program. This was a goal for our coaching staff—to provide opportunities for local athletes to compete at such a high level so close to home. A great student and Tennessee native, she deeply understands the prestige of a Vanderbilt degree.”
Moore is a rising senior transferring to Vanderbilt from Loyola Marymount where she played three seasons with graduate transfer Isabella Bareford. Standing at 6-foot-1, the middle blocker hails from Alameda, California. Moore is a two-time All-WCC first-team selection and was named to the All-WCC Freshman Team in 2021. In 2022 and 2023, she also received AVCA All-Region honors. During the 2023 season, she led the nation in hitting percentage at .454%. On September 15, Moore recorded 12 kills on 12 attempts against Montana, making her the only player in the country to hit 1.000 on over 10 attempts in a match.
“Jackie vocalized that she’s excited to put down roots at Vanderbilt, something we’re really excited to see among the women who will be leaders on this team,” Nelson said. “Athletically, she’s off the charts, similar to the younger middles she’ll mentor. Jackie was a bit of a late bloomer but has earned the chance to shine on the biggest stage in college volleyball. She’s also serious about her studies and understands the importance of a Vanderbilt degree and how it can help her achieve her professional goals.”
Kinney and Moore join graduate transfers Bareford and Sydney Conley along with freshmen Reese Animashaun, Madison Bowser, Taryn DeWese, Hailee Mack, Giovanna Mason and Rachel Ogunleye as the Commodores prepare for their first match in over 45 years.
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