Q&A: Alonso-Corcelles, Ilter Enjoying Time Together at Indiana

Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Melisa Ilter had never been to the United States before committing to play volleyball at Indiana University last year.

Alonso-Corcelles, a 6-2 outside hitter from Madrid, Spain, and Ilter, a 6-4 right side from Bursa, Turkey, were the only two members of the Hoosiers' freshman class in 2022.

The duo arrived in Bloomington just days before fall camp began for the Hoosiers and were asked to make an immediate impact.

Alonso-Corcelles played in all 32 matches, starting 26 of them. She was third on the team with 231 kills while also recording 108 digs, 41 blocks and 22 service aces.

She had double-digit kills in eight matches including a 17-kill, .452 hitting performance in a late-season victory over Illinois.

Ilter appeared in 12 matches, playing valuable points early in the season when the Hoosiers were hampered by injuries at key positions in the front row.

Now, in their first full spring playing college volleyball, Ilter and Alonso-Corcelles have seen everything slow down.

IU athletics caught up with the pair of Europeans as the spring winds down to talk the transition to the United States, their favorite part of Bloomington and the bond with each other.

What was the biggest adjustment from Europe to the United States?
Alonso-Corcelles: "The first season playing college volleyball was a little difficult because it's a very big change. The style of play and the practices are very different than Europe so getting to that during the season was very hard."

Ilter: "The American system is very different. In Turkey, it's not possible to do college and play volleyball at the same time. I think that's the big difference between the United States and Europe. The adaptation was difficult, but I think right now we're doing really well. There's a huge support system so I don't feel homesick. It's really fun here."

What about America and especially the college lifestyle is different than Europe?
Alonso-Corcelles: "Bloomington is an actual in campus. In Spain we have universities but not like this. Bloomington is like a city campus. The whole city is built around Indiana University."

Ilter: "When I was in Turkey and watching American films, I got here, and the college environment was the same. It is what I expected. All the college games are really crazy."

How has it been like getting to meet new people from different cultures?
Ilter: "We know the other athletes because they're in the same dorm. It's really cool to get to know the other athletes and people from different cultures."

How have you seen your skills improve since beginning to work with the volleyball program here at IU?
Alonso-Corcelles: "When we are in the season, we're practicing in groups and as a team so we're not developing individual aspects of our game. Now in the spring, my individual skills like receiving and blocking, we're working on that. I didn't do that a lot back in Spain. Here, I'm improving so much on little things that will help me become a better player. And I'm getting stronger in lift."

What's one thing you really like about Bloomington?
Alonso-Corcelles: "One thing I love to do is walking the campus and seeing new places. I've discovered a lot of places and have breakfast or go to bookstores. I love to do that on the weekend. I feel free and have found places that I didn't know existed."

How have you grown closer with Melisa since being here?
Alonso-Corcelles: "She's my main supporter. Coming here and having someone from Europe, we understand each other. I couldn't be here without her.

Indiana University Athletics

Q&A: Alonso-Corcelles, Ilter Enjoying Time Together at Indiana

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