Vanderbilt Women’s Lacrosse Looks to Take Another Step in 30th Anniversary Season
It is almost go time for the Vanderbilt Commodores Women’s Lacrosse team, as they are set to start their 30th anniversary season on February 7 at Clemson. The first of a five game homestand will come February 12 against the Mercer Bears, followed by a visit from the Stanford Cardinal on February 16.
Key Departures and Returning Standouts
The Commodores enter the season needing to replace some significant production. All-AAC First Team selections Jaime Biskup and Kemper Robinson have both departed. Biskup led the team with 46 goals and 20 assists last season, while Robinson was a two-way force with 24 goals, 32 caused turnovers, 36 ground balls, and 37 draw controls.
Halleron and Baker Carry the Scoring Load
That puts the scoring experience squarely on the shoulders of Nancy Halleron and Brooke Baker.
Halleron was voted All-AAC Second Team in 2025 and finished with 44 goals and four assists on the season for 48 points. Halleron can get hot, as she had five games where she scored four goals with three of those coming consecutively. She also finished with a shot percentage of .537, which stood for 37th in the nation.
Baker was a 2025 All-AAC First Team selection and saw 43 goals with eight assists for a total of 51 points. Baker scored five goals each against Ohio State and Lindenwood last season. Baker’s shot percentage of .531 was good for 45th in the nation.
Gladding Anchors the Defense & Joyce Returns in Goal
On the defensive end, junior Alex Gladding returns after earning All-AAC Second Team honors in 2025. Gladding controlled 38 ground balls and caused 21 turnovers last season, giving the Commodores a proven playmaker on that side of the ball.
Molly Joyce was a fixture at goalie last season and saw 863 minutes of play. In 18 games played, Joyce recorded 125 saves and a .414 save percentage. Joyce finished with a 9-7 record last season.
Addressing the Draw Controls
Coach Beth Hewitt added an assistant coach in Morgan Barlow last summer, and Barlow comes in as a draw specialist from Lindenwood, where she spent the last three seasons as their defensive coordinator and draw specialist coach.
That hire appears to be part of a larger effort to address an area where the Dores could use some improvement. Last season, they were led in draw controls by graduate attack and draw specialist Maddie Barkate, who finished the season with 53. Attack Bailey Lower was second on the team with 38. As a team, Vanderbilt totaled 237 on the season, and 13.17 per game placed them 70th in the nation, according to ncaa.com.
Replacing Robinson’s 37 draw controls also adds to the challenge. Lower returns as a sophomore, and she will have help. Freshman midfielder Gabby Putman arrived in Nashville as No. 38 on the Nike Lacrosse/Inside Lacrosse Women’s Power 100 Freshman Rankings. Putman also brings draw experience from her high school career, giving Hewitt and Barlow more depth to improve in that critical area.
The Road Ahead for Vanderbilt Women’s Lacrosse
Vanderbilt finished 9-9 overall and 3-3 in AAC play last season before falling to James Madison 16-6 in the conference tournament. The Dukes remain the team to beat in the AAC, as they are ranked No. 20 in the 2026 Inside Lacrosse (IL) KANE Preseason Media Poll.
The Commodores will need the veteran leadership of Halleron and Baker, as well as a strong team effort, if they want to take the next step in 2026.
More to come from Vanderbilt Commodores Women’s Lacrosse here at Mays Sports Media.
Featured Image Credit: Vanderbilt Athletics
