Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Dominates SEC Awards with Historic Sweep

Vanderbilt University’s women’s basketball team achieved a remarkable feat on Tuesday as they swept the top three awards from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for the 2023-2024 season. Head coach Shea Ralph was named SEC Coach of the Year, while Mikayla Blakes earned the title of SEC Player of the Year, and Aubrey Galvan was recognized as SEC Freshman of the Year. This recognition underscores the outstanding performance of both Ralph and her players throughout the season.

The Commodores concluded the regular season with a record of 27-3, setting a new program benchmark for victories in a single season. This success was unexpected by many, as Vanderbilt entered the season ranked No. 24 in the preseason AP Top 25, trailing behind six other SEC teams. While there were hopes for a strong campaign and a potential NCAA Tournament berth, few anticipated the level of excellence that the team ultimately achieved.

Blakes has emerged as a standout player, averaging over 30 points per game during a challenging SEC schedule. Her exceptional performance has made her one of the best players in the nation. With this award, she joins Chantelle Anderson as the only other Vanderbilt player to receive the SEC Player of the Year honor. Galvan, contributing significantly as a freshman, is the fourth player in Vanderbilt history to be named SEC Freshman of the Year. Her leadership on the court has been instrumental in positioning the Commodores as potential candidates for a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Vanderbilt’s historic sweep of the SEC’s top awards marks only the sixth time in the conference’s history that a single institution has achieved this distinction. The last occasion was during the 2013-2014 season. As they head into the SEC Tournament as the No. 2 seed, Vanderbilt is set to play its first game on Friday at 6 p.m. ET.

The accomplishments of Ralph, Blakes, and Galvan reflect a season that fans and the program will long remember. Their journey highlights the dedication and talent present within the Vanderbilt women’s basketball program, paving the way for future success on both the conference and national stages.