Gross eager for junior lacrosse season at Vanderbilt

No one knows when sports will come back in full force with no restrictions, but one person who can't wait is Brianne Gross. Gross, a 2018 graduate of Oak Ridge High, was experiencing a breakout lacrosse season in her second year at Vanderbilt before the pandemic ended her season in March just before the halfway point of the schedule. Losing the second half of the season was a big disappointment to everyone, but especially for Gross, who was playing at the top of her game. In nine games, Gross had scored 25 goals and added 10 assists, including 38 draw controls, 15 ground balls and seven caused turnovers. She scored at least three goals in a game six times, led the team in scoring and shooting percentage and was fourth in the conference in goals and draw controls. "I definitely found my stride last season, and that's why I was looking forward to playing the whole season," Gross said. "It's a real bummer the season was cut short, as I was off to a great start. I definitely had more confidence than I did in my freshman year, and I also was given more of a chance, as I started every game. The World Cup helped me prove myself." Gross, 20, not only played well, but played well in big games. Against No. 13 Michigan, Gross scored a career-high seven goals in a 20-13 loss. Playing against tenth-ranked Denver, Gross scored three goals, including the game-winner in overtime to give the Commodores an upset 14-13 victory. Gross's improved played started last summer when she was a member of the U.S. Under-19 women's lacrosse team that won the World Cup Championship Aug. 10. While Gross plays midfield for the Commodores, on the World Cup team she played defense and excelled. In the team's very first game, Gross earned "Player of the Match" honors, and at the end of the tournament, Gross was one of only 10 players in the entire tournament named to the All-World team. "Winning that gold medal was not like anything I'd ever experienced," Gross said. "The emotions; the joy, everyone celebrating was super special. We were the best of the best; not just the best in El Dorado Hills or in California or in the U.S., but the best in the world." That performance kick-started Gross into her strong second season where she was playing more like she expected to play. Her freshman season in 2019 was much tougher for her, as she scored only 12 goals. "Year one went well, but I was still trying to find myself on the team, and I struggled with my confidence," Gross said. "I had been used to dominating in a sense, but freshman year was a different ball game. The biggest adjustment for me was that everyone was so much faster on defense. I couldn't get inside as much and take close shots on goal; I had to shoot from further out." While Gross said academics has been challenging, she's excelled nonetheless, as she made the American Athletic Conference All-Academic team as a freshman, as well as the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll as a sophomore. Gross is an Engineering Science Major with a minor in Engineering Management. "It was definitely a rough adjustment academically going from high school to college, but also to a high academic college like Vanderbilt," Gross said. "My team, coaches and the staff have been super supportive. My roommate too; we're the only two engineers the program has ever had and she's helped me stay on top of things." After taking some time away from lacrosse earlier this summer, Gross is back to training and is eager to play again, not to mention get back to school. She returns to Vanderbilt on August 19. "I have a hybrid schedule where I will attend each of my five classes once a week, and the other scheduled class times will be online," Gross said. "Lacrosse wise, I'm back to training whole-heartedly. We're hoping to play again in the spring. We're going to keep training and focus on team bonding and team chemistry."