Vanderbilt Sweeps LSU 3-0 Behind Samantha Wunsch’s 15 Kills
Vanderbilt earned its first SEC victory of the season Wednesday night, sweeping LSU 3-0 at the Maravich Center in Baton Rouge.
The Commodores won 25-22, 25-23, 25-16, improving to 10-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play. The victory also pushed Vanderbilt beyond the nine wins recorded by the program's 2025 team.
Samantha Wunsch led Vanderbilt with 15 kills, while Reese Animashaun and Maya Witherspoon each added 13. Setter Avery Scoggins distributed 45 assists as the Commodores produced 50 kills and hit .241.
Vanderbilt Builds Early Lead in First Set
LSU remained within striking distance throughout the opening frame, but Vanderbilt consistently found ways to create separation.
The Commodores used a 6-1 run to build an 11-7 advantage before eventually stretching the margin to seven points. LSU responded with a 9-3 surge that dramatically changed the set.
That rally brought the Tigers within 22-21, giving LSU an opportunity to steal the opening frame after spending much of it playing from behind.
Vanderbilt responded at the critical moment, winning three of the final four points to secure the first set 25-22.
LSU Nearly Completes Second-Set Comeback
The Commodores created an even larger early advantage in Set 2, using an 8-1 run to put LSU in another difficult position.
But the Tigers refused to allow Vanderbilt to cruise to a two-set advantage.
LSU gradually worked its way back into the frame and eventually reduced Vanderbilt's lead to 24-23. With the Tigers threatening to erase the deficit completely, Vanderbilt called timeout.
The Commodores responded immediately after the break, winning the next point to escape with a 25-23 victory.
Vanderbilt had survived LSU's second comeback attempt and carried a commanding 2-0 advantage into the third.
Commodores Take Control in Third Set
LSU briefly grabbed a 4-3 lead early in the third, but Vanderbilt quickly erased it.
The Commodores answered with a 5-0 run, taking an 8-4 advantage and forcing LSU back into chase mode.
This time, there would be no late Tigers comeback.
Vanderbilt continued extending its advantage as the set progressed, eventually closing out LSU 25-16 to complete the straight-set victory. The final frame was Vanderbilt's most decisive win of the evening.
Samantha Wunsch Leads Vanderbilt Attack
Wunsch delivered the most productive offensive performance for the Commodores, finishing with 15 kills.
She also contributed five blocks, giving Vanderbilt another important presence at the net.
Animashaun and Witherspoon supplied 13 kills apiece, giving Vanderbilt three players with at least 13 kills.
Scoggins kept the offense moving with 45 assists, helping Vanderbilt finish with 50 kills and a .241 hitting percentage.
The balanced production made it difficult for LSU to focus its defense on a single Vanderbilt attacker.
Vanderbilt Defense Records 68 Digs
Vanderbilt's defensive performance was just as important.
The Commodores recorded a season-high 68 digs, with Hailee Mack producing a season-best 22 digs.
Witherspoon added 18 digs to her 13 kills for a double-double, while Scoggins paired her 45 assists with 13 digs for another double-double.
Vanderbilt also limited LSU to 32 kills and a .157 hitting percentage, preventing the Tigers from establishing consistent offensive rhythm.
Jurnee Robinson Leads LSU
Senior outside hitter Jurnee Robinson provided LSU's top attacking performance with 12 kills while adding two blocks.
Kiley Brooks and Ella Hemmings led the Tigers defensively with 17 digs each, with Hemmings establishing a career high.
Sanaa Donaie provided LSU's strongest presence at the net, finishing with a match-high five blocks.
LSU actually finished with advantages in both blocks, 9-6, and service aces, 3-2, but Vanderbilt's advantage in attacking production proved decisive.
Vanderbilt Reaches 10 Wins
The sweep moved Vanderbilt to 10-2, giving the program more victories than its 2025 team recorded.
More importantly in the immediate SEC race, Vanderbilt picked up its first conference victory of the season and improved to 1-2 in league play. LSU dropped to 6-6 overall and 1-2 in the SEC.
Vanderbilt now travels to Ole Miss on Sunday at 2 p.m., while LSU remains at the Maravich Center to host Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 4 at noon CT.









