For the first time in 45 years, Vanderbilt volleyball played a home match and turned it into a 3-1 win over Belmont.
"" didn't have your typical surroundings — this match took place outdoors at Wyatt Lawn in the heart of the Vanderbilt campus.
This historic opener was as much about the performance as it was the setting, with Vanderbilt controlling three of the four sets to secure the victory.
The Commodores Outdoors
For Vanderbilt's first season since the program's reinstatement, the Commodores and coach Anders Nelson wanted to make a splash — to make their home debut memorable. Instead of using Memorial Gym, which will be the program's usual home, Vanderbilt's home opener will be a ticketed-free event — all entry general admission with standing room available. Along with food trucks for concessions, Vanderbilt alumna and country music artist Julie Cole will perform about 30 minutes following the match.
Match 1 coming 🔜 ⏳
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball)
Head Coach Anders Nelson shares with what their home opener, Match 1, means to .
The Wyatt Commons is home to all first-year students embarking on their collegiate journey at Vanderbilt. The university has even made the match part of the .
The Venue
Setting up for a match with an outdoor venue such as this has been a long time coming.
Head facility and game manger, Lauren Rickert, shared that preparations have been nearly a year in the making. Navigating weather, creating intentional spaces for guests of honors and preserving the vast greenery have all been factors.
No detail has been spared, even figuring out where the sun will set in order to know where to position the benches and scorekeepers.
A major obstacle for the grounds crew was transforming the expansive grass lawn into a stable, competition-ready surface. After leveling out the field while preserving the space, they created a foundation using a decking system and layered the area with Taraflex and Sport Court materials. There will also be three video boards and three sides of seats, with another side open for standing room only.
The crew began setting up the court on Monday, Aug. 25. Rickert believes her group will be working on the final touches up until practice on Friday, Aug. 28, the day of play.
Taking things outDORES this week
— Vanderbilt Volleyball (@VandyVolleyball)
History
There's not much history to report because the match is quite literally making history.
The Commodores and Bruins are set to compete for the first time in program history in a long-awaited matchup made possible after Vanderbilt's return from a hiatus that began before Belmont's team was established in 1993. Just 0.3 miles separate the campuses of the Nashville schools.
What to know
Vanderbilt (0-1-0) is coming off a 3-2 loss to No. 14 Kansas in their opening match of the 2025 season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Lincoln, Neb.
CATCH UP: 6 biggest takeaways from AVCA First Serve
The Commodores had a strong showing against the Jayhawks, winning the first set, 25-19. They put up some impressive numbers, with freshman Reese Animashaun recording a double-double in her collegiate debut, posting 18 kills and 11 digs and Jackie Moore registering 17 kills on a .323 clip.
Reeeeeese!
— Vanderbilt Volleyball (@VandyVolleyball)
Up to double-digit kills.
📺 Watch on FS1
Friday's matchup will mark the start of the 2025 season for the Bruins coming off an 11-19 overall and 6-12 season in Missouri Valley Conference play last year. Key returning senior Brooke Gilleland boasted 333 kills and 293 digs while averaging 3.06 kills per set.
Both teams feature coaches in the first season at the helm of their programs, with Anders Nelson leading the reinstated Vanderbilt team and Fritz Rosenberg at Belmont.
Match Recap
The Commodores opened strong, taking the first two sets 25-21 and 25-17 before Belmont rallied to claim the third, 25-18. Vanderbilt sealed the win with a 25-20 finish in the fourth. Junior outside hitter Kamryn Chaney led the way with 20 kills, while senior setter Isabella Bareford tallied 39 assists.
Big time 😤 Kamryn Chaney
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball)
📺 SECN x
Historic night in Nashville ⚓️
— Vanderbilt Volleyball (@VandyVolleyball)
The Atmosphere
Just as expected, the atmosphere was electric. More than 3,400 fans packed Wyatt Lawn, and every point brought the crowd to its feet. From the first serve to the final kill, it felt less like an opener and more like a celebration — a long-awaited homecoming for Vanderbilt volleyball.
"HOW BOUT THAT STUDENT SECTION?!"
— Vanderbilt Volleyball (@VandyVolleyball)
