Indiana University Athletics
Indiana Volleyball Preseason Primer
8/9/2023 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Indiana Volleyball Preseason Primer
The Hoosiers have 33 contests set for the 2023 campaign.
The Indiana volleyball program officially kicks off its 2023 season with report day to Bloomington on August 7th (Monday) and the first day of practice on August 8th (Tuesday).
Coming off its best finish in the Big Ten (8th) since the conference expanded to 14 teams, IU returns 12 players from a year ago including six of seven starting rotational players and a number of key reserves.
Steve Aird enters his sixth year as head coach in Bloomington with his most veteran team to date and a roster filled with quality talent up and down the lineup.
Here are some facts to know and notes to follow ahead of the 49th season of volleyball at Indiana.
This page will be updated throughout the preseason.
Dates to Know
A full schedule for IU can be found online.
• Tuesday, August 8th: First Day of Practice
• Saturday, August 19th: Cream and Crimson Scrimmage
• Friday, August 25th: Home and Season Opener
• Wednesday, September 20th: Big Ten Opener
• Saturday, October 21st: Homecoming Match
• Saturday, November 18th: Senior Day
Returning Athletes
IU's 2023 roster consists of 17 athletes.
The Hoosiers have one of their most veteran teams in recent memory coming back with 10 juniors or seniors on the team including six athletes entering either their fourth or fifth year of collegiate volleyball.
IU returns 12 players including six starting rotational players and key reserves Isa Lopez, Kenzie Daffinee and Grae Gosnell. All-Big Ten First Team setter Camryn Haworth runs an offense that returns its top five hitters including Mady Saris (427 kills in '22) and Morgan Geddes (266 kills in '22).
The Hoosiers return 98.4% of kills (1475/1499) and 96.8% of blocks (242/250) from the 2022 season and are tied with Michigan State and Wisconsin for the most returning athletes in the conference for the 2023 campaign (12 athletes).
Other key returners include veteran middle blocker duo Kaley Rammelsberg and Savannah Kjolhede and sophomore outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles.
Indiana Newcomers
Five newcomers round out IU's roster.
After losing four athletes to graduation, the Hoosiers welcomed five new athletes including three true freshmen and two second-year players via transfer.
Under Armour All-American libero Ramsey Gary highlights a recruiting class that includes three-time AAU Club National Champion and middle blocker Ava Vickers as well as setter Luca Fickell.
Redshirt freshman Natalia Hagopian arrived as a mid-year transfer in January after a season at Northeastern to add depth at the setter position for IU.
After an outstanding freshman season at Cincinnati, Avry Tatum makes her way to Bloomington for her final three seasons of eligibility. The 6-foor-2 opposite hitter and middle blocker is a California native and played club (WAVE) and high school (La Costa Canyon) volleyball under the tutelage of assistant coach Kevin Hodge and associate head coach Rachel Morris.
Staff Changes
Aird named his 2023 staff in July.
In accordance with a new NCAA byline put into effect on July 1, 2023, women's volleyball programs are now allowed three paid assistants, eliminating the previously designated volunteer role.
Head coach Steve Aird named his 2023 coaching staff shortly after including the addition of Kevin Hodge as an assistant coach.
Additional changes saw Brett Agne promoted to the third paid assistant role, Rachel Morris elevated to associated head coach and Hallie Enderle named director of operations.
2022 in Review
The Hoosiers set a strong foundation last season.
IU went 16-16 (9-11) during the 2022 campaign as a young core of talent began settling into their roles. The Hoosiers finished eighth in the Big Ten (9-11) after being picked preseason 13th.
IU's improvement from four to nine conference wins in one year matched the second-biggest improvement in program history. Its' nine Big Ten wins were also the most in single season since 2010. An improvement from 10 to 16 wins overall is the joint third-biggest increase in program history
The Hoosiers grabbed two big wins on the road with a strong effort at Michigan and an outstanding match at Ohio State. The two ranked wins away from home (#5 Ohio State, #25 Michigan) were the most in a single season in school history. The win at #5 Ohio State was also the biggest road ranked win in program history and just the second top-five victory for IU.
As the team began to get healthy in mid-October, IU went on an impressive streak of victories. Its four-game winning streak, which included wins over Michigan State and Michigan, from Oct. 16-28 was longest since 2008.
Camryn Haworth had a breakout season which saw her be named Big Ten Setter of the week (Nov. 21), AVCA National Player of the Week (Nov. 22), First Team All-Big Ten and AVCA Northeast All-Region Honorable Mention.
She recorded IU's first triple-double since 2001 and finished 4th in the Big Ten in assists (1,111), 6th in assists per set (9.03) and 1st in aces (49).
Mady Saris was a force in the Big Ten, finishing 6th in the conference in kills with 427.
Big Ten Media Days
The Hoosiers spoke on August 1st in Chicago.
The Indiana trio of setter Camryn Haworth, outside hitter/defensive specialist Grae Gosnell and head coach Steve Aird attended the 2nd Annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Days in Chicago.
As part of the conference's continued commitment to growing the game of volleyball, the two-day event featured media interviews, tv sit-downs, social media engagement, photoshoots and a dinner for all coaches and athletes at the Big Ten Network studios.
Schedule/TV Notes
The Hoosiers will challenge themselves in the Big Ten and non-conference.
IU's full 33-match schedule was announced in accordance with the Big Ten schedule release in June.
The Hoosiers' campaign will feature 13 home matches including an opening weekend tournament against New Hampshire, Southern Indiana and Radford.
IU will play Purdue, Michigan, Rutgers, Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin and Maryland twice with solo home matches against Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa and solo road games at Penn State, Northwestern and Michigan State.
The non-conference slate includes matches against 2022 NCAA Tournament teams Washington and Miami (Fla.) as well as traditional powers Long Beach State and UCLA.
IU will play on the Big Ten Network four times this season with matches against Illinois (Sept. 20), Nebraska (Sept. 30), Purdue (Oct. 11) and Illinois (Oct. 25) featured on the network's national television channel.
Hoosier Duo in Anaheim
USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team
Morgan Geddes and Camryn Haworth were named to the 20-woman USA Collegiate National Team in April following a strong performance at the Open Tryout in Colorado Springs.
The nation's best athletes were selected and trained with USA volleyball in Anaheim this summer over a five-day period. Geddes enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 despite dealing with lingering injuries that held her out multiple games in the non-conference. Haworth took the keys to the offense as the team's setter last season.
The pair of Hoosiers will have a valuable role for IU during the 2023 season, joining middle blockers Kaley Rammelsberg and Savannah Kjolhede and outside hitters Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Mady Saris as returning starters.
Big Ten Athletes on USA Collegiate National Team
Morgan Geddes, Outside Hitter, Indiana
Camryn Haworth, Setter, Indiana
Lexi Rodriguez, Libero, Nebraska
Saris Trains with Canada
Next Gen Camp
Junior outside hitter Mady Saris and graduating senior defensive specialist Haley Armstrong spent five days in Canada at the end of April, training with the national team as part of the NextGen Program.
The duo went through full practices, drills and matches as the Canadian National Team begins the process of identifying the next generation of talent. Saris was named among the initial 35-person senior team roster for the Volleyball Nations League but elected not to participate as to continue training in Bloomington.
Big Ten Active Leaders
Where IU athletes rank heading into the season.
With a veteran squad in 2023, the Hoosiers have several athletes that rank among the best in the conference in their careers. All numbers account for purely stats recorded as a member of a Big Ten institution.
Kills: Mady Saris, 10th (695)
Assists: Camryn Haworth, 6th (1,615)
Blocks: Savannah Kjolhede, 7th (268)
Aces: Camryn Haworth, 3rd (91)
More in the Middle
IU's veteran middle duo returns for 2023
The Hoosiers have one of the most veteran middle blocker tandems in the entire nation. Entering the season, Savannah Kjolhede and Kaley Rammelsberg have combined to play seven seasons of college volleyball.
After missing nearly half the Big Ten season, Rammelsberg, and Kjolhede, will be back for one last go around in the Big Ten.
Matches Played: 186
Kjolhede: 82
Rammelsberg: 104
Kills: 1,203
Kjolhede: 452
Rammelsberg: 751
Blocks: 563
Kjolhede: 268
Rammelsberg: 104
Chasing Numbers
Upcoming milestones for IU
Savannah Kjolhede continues to climb the program's all-time blocks list entering her fourth season with the program. She's already No. 10 all-time in the rally era but has the potential to move into the top-10 all-time regardless of scoring system.
If she crosses 300 blocks this season, she'd become just the 14th player in program history to do so and the first since Deyshia Lofton (2016-19).
All-Time Blocks List
10. Mary Chaudoin: 325 (2008-11)
11. Erica Short: 320 (2005-08)
12. Awele Nwaeze: 319 (2013-15)
13. Annie Moddrell: 310 (2004-07)
14. Savannah Kjolhede: 268 (2020-)
Mady Saris has the potential to become the 20th member, and first since Breana Edwards (2018-21), of the 1,000 kills club in IU history. She is next in line to cross the mark with every kill in an IU uniform.
Saris Career Totals
2021: Freshman (268)
2022: Sophomore (427)
Career Kills (695)
Haworth Magic
The junior has broken onto the national scene for IU.
Camryn Haworth took the keys to the offense as IU's setter in 2022 and turned it into one of the best all-around seasons in program history.
With a full nucleus of talent returning around her 2023, the Fishers, Ind. native will look to continue her rise as one of the conference's elite setters as IU searches for a tournament bid.
She is closing in on becoming the 11th player in program history with 2,000 assists (currently 1,615) and the 19th player with 100 aces in her career (currently 91).
2022 in Review
• Started all 32 matches, played in every set
• 1,111 Assists, 290 Digs, 127 Kills, 56 Blocks
• No. 1 in Big Ten in Aces (49)
• No. 3 in Big Ten in Assists (1,111)
• No. 3 Single Season Program History in Aces (Rally Era)
• No. 7 Single Season Program History in Assists (Rally Era)
• Team High 10 Double-Doubles
• Recorded Triple-Double in win over Northwestern (11/18)
• Matched career high six aces against Wisconsin (11/6)
Program Ranks
• Assists: 1,615 (No. 11 All-Time Program History)
• Aces: 91 (No. 8 Rally Era Program History)
• Double Doubles: 14 (No. 5 in 25-Point Rally Era Program History)
The Hoosiers have 33 contests set for the 2023 campaign.
The Indiana volleyball program officially kicks off its 2023 season with report day to Bloomington on August 7th (Monday) and the first day of practice on August 8th (Tuesday).
Coming off its best finish in the Big Ten (8th) since the conference expanded to 14 teams, IU returns 12 players from a year ago including six of seven starting rotational players and a number of key reserves.
Steve Aird enters his sixth year as head coach in Bloomington with his most veteran team to date and a roster filled with quality talent up and down the lineup.
Here are some facts to know and notes to follow ahead of the 49th season of volleyball at Indiana.
This page will be updated throughout the preseason.
Dates to Know
A full schedule for IU can be found online.
• Tuesday, August 8th: First Day of Practice
• Saturday, August 19th: Cream and Crimson Scrimmage
• Friday, August 25th: Home and Season Opener
• Wednesday, September 20th: Big Ten Opener
• Saturday, October 21st: Homecoming Match
• Saturday, November 18th: Senior Day
Returning Athletes
IU's 2023 roster consists of 17 athletes.
The Hoosiers have one of their most veteran teams in recent memory coming back with 10 juniors or seniors on the team including six athletes entering either their fourth or fifth year of collegiate volleyball.
IU returns 12 players including six starting rotational players and key reserves Isa Lopez, Kenzie Daffinee and Grae Gosnell. All-Big Ten First Team setter Camryn Haworth runs an offense that returns its top five hitters including Mady Saris (427 kills in '22) and Morgan Geddes (266 kills in '22).
The Hoosiers return 98.4% of kills (1475/1499) and 96.8% of blocks (242/250) from the 2022 season and are tied with Michigan State and Wisconsin for the most returning athletes in the conference for the 2023 campaign (12 athletes).
Other key returners include veteran middle blocker duo Kaley Rammelsberg and Savannah Kjolhede and sophomore outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles.
Indiana Newcomers
Five newcomers round out IU's roster.
After losing four athletes to graduation, the Hoosiers welcomed five new athletes including three true freshmen and two second-year players via transfer.
Under Armour All-American libero Ramsey Gary highlights a recruiting class that includes three-time AAU Club National Champion and middle blocker Ava Vickers as well as setter Luca Fickell.
Redshirt freshman Natalia Hagopian arrived as a mid-year transfer in January after a season at Northeastern to add depth at the setter position for IU.
After an outstanding freshman season at Cincinnati, Avry Tatum makes her way to Bloomington for her final three seasons of eligibility. The 6-foor-2 opposite hitter and middle blocker is a California native and played club (WAVE) and high school (La Costa Canyon) volleyball under the tutelage of assistant coach Kevin Hodge and associate head coach Rachel Morris.
Staff Changes
Aird named his 2023 staff in July.
In accordance with a new NCAA byline put into effect on July 1, 2023, women's volleyball programs are now allowed three paid assistants, eliminating the previously designated volunteer role.
Head coach Steve Aird named his 2023 coaching staff shortly after including the addition of Kevin Hodge as an assistant coach.
Additional changes saw Brett Agne promoted to the third paid assistant role, Rachel Morris elevated to associated head coach and Hallie Enderle named director of operations.
2022 in Review
The Hoosiers set a strong foundation last season.
IU went 16-16 (9-11) during the 2022 campaign as a young core of talent began settling into their roles. The Hoosiers finished eighth in the Big Ten (9-11) after being picked preseason 13th.
IU's improvement from four to nine conference wins in one year matched the second-biggest improvement in program history. Its' nine Big Ten wins were also the most in single season since 2010. An improvement from 10 to 16 wins overall is the joint third-biggest increase in program history
The Hoosiers grabbed two big wins on the road with a strong effort at Michigan and an outstanding match at Ohio State. The two ranked wins away from home (#5 Ohio State, #25 Michigan) were the most in a single season in school history. The win at #5 Ohio State was also the biggest road ranked win in program history and just the second top-five victory for IU.
As the team began to get healthy in mid-October, IU went on an impressive streak of victories. Its four-game winning streak, which included wins over Michigan State and Michigan, from Oct. 16-28 was longest since 2008.
Camryn Haworth had a breakout season which saw her be named Big Ten Setter of the week (Nov. 21), AVCA National Player of the Week (Nov. 22), First Team All-Big Ten and AVCA Northeast All-Region Honorable Mention.
She recorded IU's first triple-double since 2001 and finished 4th in the Big Ten in assists (1,111), 6th in assists per set (9.03) and 1st in aces (49).
Mady Saris was a force in the Big Ten, finishing 6th in the conference in kills with 427.
Big Ten Media Days
The Hoosiers spoke on August 1st in Chicago.
The Indiana trio of setter Camryn Haworth, outside hitter/defensive specialist Grae Gosnell and head coach Steve Aird attended the 2nd Annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Days in Chicago.
As part of the conference's continued commitment to growing the game of volleyball, the two-day event featured media interviews, tv sit-downs, social media engagement, photoshoots and a dinner for all coaches and athletes at the Big Ten Network studios.
Schedule/TV Notes
The Hoosiers will challenge themselves in the Big Ten and non-conference.
IU's full 33-match schedule was announced in accordance with the Big Ten schedule release in June.
The Hoosiers' campaign will feature 13 home matches including an opening weekend tournament against New Hampshire, Southern Indiana and Radford.
IU will play Purdue, Michigan, Rutgers, Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin and Maryland twice with solo home matches against Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa and solo road games at Penn State, Northwestern and Michigan State.
The non-conference slate includes matches against 2022 NCAA Tournament teams Washington and Miami (Fla.) as well as traditional powers Long Beach State and UCLA.
IU will play on the Big Ten Network four times this season with matches against Illinois (Sept. 20), Nebraska (Sept. 30), Purdue (Oct. 11) and Illinois (Oct. 25) featured on the network's national television channel.
Hoosier Duo in Anaheim
USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team
Morgan Geddes and Camryn Haworth were named to the 20-woman USA Collegiate National Team in April following a strong performance at the Open Tryout in Colorado Springs.
The nation's best athletes were selected and trained with USA volleyball in Anaheim this summer over a five-day period. Geddes enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 despite dealing with lingering injuries that held her out multiple games in the non-conference. Haworth took the keys to the offense as the team's setter last season.
The pair of Hoosiers will have a valuable role for IU during the 2023 season, joining middle blockers Kaley Rammelsberg and Savannah Kjolhede and outside hitters Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Mady Saris as returning starters.
Big Ten Athletes on USA Collegiate National Team
Morgan Geddes, Outside Hitter, Indiana
Camryn Haworth, Setter, Indiana
Lexi Rodriguez, Libero, Nebraska
Saris Trains with Canada
Next Gen Camp
Junior outside hitter Mady Saris and graduating senior defensive specialist Haley Armstrong spent five days in Canada at the end of April, training with the national team as part of the NextGen Program.
The duo went through full practices, drills and matches as the Canadian National Team begins the process of identifying the next generation of talent. Saris was named among the initial 35-person senior team roster for the Volleyball Nations League but elected not to participate as to continue training in Bloomington.
Big Ten Active Leaders
Where IU athletes rank heading into the season.
With a veteran squad in 2023, the Hoosiers have several athletes that rank among the best in the conference in their careers. All numbers account for purely stats recorded as a member of a Big Ten institution.
Kills: Mady Saris, 10th (695)
Assists: Camryn Haworth, 6th (1,615)
Blocks: Savannah Kjolhede, 7th (268)
Aces: Camryn Haworth, 3rd (91)
More in the Middle
IU's veteran middle duo returns for 2023
The Hoosiers have one of the most veteran middle blocker tandems in the entire nation. Entering the season, Savannah Kjolhede and Kaley Rammelsberg have combined to play seven seasons of college volleyball.
After missing nearly half the Big Ten season, Rammelsberg, and Kjolhede, will be back for one last go around in the Big Ten.
Matches Played: 186
Kjolhede: 82
Rammelsberg: 104
Kills: 1,203
Kjolhede: 452
Rammelsberg: 751
Blocks: 563
Kjolhede: 268
Rammelsberg: 104
Chasing Numbers
Upcoming milestones for IU
Savannah Kjolhede continues to climb the program's all-time blocks list entering her fourth season with the program. She's already No. 10 all-time in the rally era but has the potential to move into the top-10 all-time regardless of scoring system.
If she crosses 300 blocks this season, she'd become just the 14th player in program history to do so and the first since Deyshia Lofton (2016-19).
All-Time Blocks List
10. Mary Chaudoin: 325 (2008-11)
11. Erica Short: 320 (2005-08)
12. Awele Nwaeze: 319 (2013-15)
13. Annie Moddrell: 310 (2004-07)
14. Savannah Kjolhede: 268 (2020-)
Mady Saris has the potential to become the 20th member, and first since Breana Edwards (2018-21), of the 1,000 kills club in IU history. She is next in line to cross the mark with every kill in an IU uniform.
Saris Career Totals
2021: Freshman (268)
2022: Sophomore (427)
Career Kills (695)
Haworth Magic
The junior has broken onto the national scene for IU.
Camryn Haworth took the keys to the offense as IU's setter in 2022 and turned it into one of the best all-around seasons in program history.
With a full nucleus of talent returning around her 2023, the Fishers, Ind. native will look to continue her rise as one of the conference's elite setters as IU searches for a tournament bid.
She is closing in on becoming the 11th player in program history with 2,000 assists (currently 1,615) and the 19th player with 100 aces in her career (currently 91).
2022 in Review
• Started all 32 matches, played in every set
• 1,111 Assists, 290 Digs, 127 Kills, 56 Blocks
• No. 1 in Big Ten in Aces (49)
• No. 3 in Big Ten in Assists (1,111)
• No. 3 Single Season Program History in Aces (Rally Era)
• No. 7 Single Season Program History in Assists (Rally Era)
• Team High 10 Double-Doubles
• Recorded Triple-Double in win over Northwestern (11/18)
• Matched career high six aces against Wisconsin (11/6)
Program Ranks
• Assists: 1,615 (No. 11 All-Time Program History)
• Aces: 91 (No. 8 Rally Era Program History)
• Double Doubles: 14 (No. 5 in 25-Point Rally Era Program History)
IUVB: Selection Sunday Press Conference
Sunday, November 30
IUVB at Purdue: Highlights
Saturday, November 29
IUVB at Illinois: Highlights
Wednesday, November 26
IUVB vs. Nebraska: Highlights
Saturday, November 22